The Department for Education (DfE) is today (10 March) inviting applications from experts in the shipbuilding industry to become members of the first UK Shipbuilding Skills Task Force.

Following the release of the updated cross-government National Shipbuilding Strategy, which sets out a set of government measures to foster a UK shipbuilding renaissance, the DfE will lead work to establish a task force at the across the UK to develop an advanced skills strategy. to support the industry.

The task force will last 18 months and aims to paint a picture of industry skills needs and provide solutions to skills shortages, particularly those related to new and emerging technologies and zero-emissions shipping. By pairing industry experts with training providers, the task force will collect best practices from across the shipbuilding industry to address skills gaps and promote career opportunities in shipbuilding. .

Skills Minister Alex Burghart said:

We are looking for a chair and members for our new task force that will energize the shipbuilding industry, bringing together experts who will work together to develop a plan to close skills gaps and bring more people to jobs. rewarding jobs.

These roles are an exciting opportunity for people who have the skills, knowledge and experience to be at the forefront of this vital work, helping to improve opportunities for people across the UK and to ensure that our fantastic shipbuilding industry will get better and better.

Working closely with the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Department for Transport (DfT), the task force will also work to ensure that training providers are empowered to meet industry demands, drawing on best practices from other sectors and national skills approaches to optimize available skills funding and shipbuilding opportunities.

Maritime Skills Commission Chairman Graham Baldwin said:

The Maritime Skills Commission welcomes the establishment of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce (UKSST), which comes at a crucial time for the industry. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the maritime sector has the skills it needs to build back better and move to net zero, but it is imperative that this is supported by government and industry. Attracting and retaining a diverse pool of skilled workers is a priority and the Commission will work closely with the UKSST to ensure this. We are delighted to welcome the Chair of UKSST to the Commission and together we will work closely together to address skills challenges and opportunities, now and in the future.

Nominations are now open online for a Chair and Task Force members with shipbuilding experience and passion.