Apprenticeship training boost for SW shipyard

A WESTCOUNTRY shipyard is has announced a raft of new training placements.

- ALAN JONES

Appledore shipyard in North Devon is one of a number of shipbuilding, construction and energy sites across the country offering places as part of to mark national apprenticeship week.

Navantia UK, the new owner of Harland & Wolff, set out a plan to hire 500 industrial apprentices by 2030, starting with 90 to be recruited this year, including 20 at Appledore.

Others will be hired at the firm's three other shipyards on Arnish (Isle of Lewis), Belfast and Methil (Fife). Jobs will vary from welding and pipe fitting to computer-aided design and administration.

Many of them will be working on the £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support programme, building three supply ships for the Royal Navy.

Navantia UK says it aims to hire 500 apprentices by 2030 to support the business's expansion in shipbuilding engineering and in supplying the offshore energy industry.

Navantia UK has a £1.6 billion contract to build three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which will deliver vital supplies to Royal Navy warships at sea. Other activities include building commercial vessels, ship repair and supplying the offshore energy industry.