Engineering apprentices are back onsite at Penzance Dry Docks, Cornwall for the first time in 25 years
Cornwall engineering apprenticeships are in the spotlight here in Penzance as Jamie Murphy, CEO of Linked Solutions, announces a new Apprenticeship Programme.
Linked Solutions Apprentice Engineers will be based at Penzance Dry Docks, which is operated by Linked Solutions Ltd. All four apprentice engineers will develop skills in vessel maintenance and repair work, and they will work closely with highly experienced Linked Solutions engineers.
All training will be at the Dry Docks premises, so apprentices are free of the burden of lost time travel costs.
Jamie Murphy, CEO of Linked Solutions, the Penzance-based engineering business which operates Penzance Dry Dock (2009) Ltd says this Scheme for Cornwall engineering apprenticeships will be a benchmark for other schemes across the region.
“We want to give these young people in Cornwall the best chance of future success and we believe the scope of skills development here at the Dry Dock will deliver Cornwall some very highly skilled apprentices.
“The opportunity for learning is as valuable for Cornwall’s marine sector as it is for the young people involved because our apprentices will have the opportunity to work across the whole sector, on a variety of projects that include defence, small dayboats, and larger commercial fishing and leisure vessels,” he says.
Working alongside qualified engineers, the four candidates will work towards a Level 3 NVQ in Engineering Technology while also having the opportunity to work alongside, and learn from, Linked Solutions’ skilled team. It is envisaged that full-time roles will be available following the successful completion of the four-year apprenticeship, which is being delivered in association with Cornwall Marine Network.
Cornwall Marine Network (CMN), established in 2002, are focused on improving the economic prosperity of marine businesses in Cornwall and are the training partner in the Apprenticeship Programme. Together, the two organisations are striving to provide a robust programme for these Cornwall engineering apprenticeships that includes mentorship, learning and plenty of practical experience.
“Cornwall Marine Network are delighted to support Jamie Murphy and his team at Penzance Dry Dock with their new apprenticeship project. Without Jamie’s intervention, Penzance Dry Dock was in danger of becoming holiday apartments, but Jamie has now secured this valuable marine engineering facility for the future of the sector.
“Our joint apprenticeship programme will develop the future skills needed to underpin this growth,” says Paul Wickes MBE, CEO of Cornwall Marine Network.
“Jamie and I both served engineering apprenticeships so we are passionate about providing young people with the skills that will progress them as they develop their careers at Penzance Dry Dock. Today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s marine engineering managers. CMN recognise the importance of growing the Dry Dock which in years gone by was the major local employer and at the heart of the local community. Under Jamie’s new leadership we are confident Penzance Dry Dock will quickly re-establish this position again and we wish Jamie and his team every success,” he adds.
CEO, Jamie Murphy, who started as an apprentice himself, understands the value of schemes like this and hopes that the new apprentices could have a long-term career with the business. “We’ve worked closely with Cornwall Marine Network to make sure this scheme offers the very best learning and practical experience for our apprentices. Cornwall and indeed Penzance have a strong industrial heritage and our team here at Linked Solutions are delighted to be able to support the next generation coming through. We have not had young apprentice engineers on site for 25 years, our industry needs new talent and we are very happy to nurture it. We have a really skilled team here and everyone is looking forward to the mentoring part of the programme and being able to give something back.”
Applications for this cohort are filled, but anyone interested in future positions can email cat.allinson@linkedsolutionsmarine.com at Linked Solutions.
For more information about Cornwall Marine network visit www.cornwallmarine.net