Careers at Sea wins two major campaign awards

The Merchant Navy Training Board’s (MNTB) Careers at Sea initiative has won two awards that recognise the campaign’s efforts to boost the number of young people entering maritime careers.

The initiative’s ‘To Sea or Not to Sea’ film (above), which was launched in September, was awarded Best New Association Video by the Association of Association Executives at its annual congress in Manchester on Thursday.

The Careers at Sea Ambassadors programme also received the Special Award in the Effective Voice of the Year category.

The Careers at Sea campaign itself aims to highlight the diverse range of professional opportunities available to young people who choose to enter the UK’s most international sector, at a time when an ageing population and growth in the global shipping industry has led to increased demand for British seafarers.

The broadcast-quality ‘To Sea or Not to Sea’ video was produced by ITN Productions and has been promoted across social media in an effort to raise awareness of careers in the maritime sector.

The video is aimed at 13- to 17-year-olds choosing their future careers. It was launched during London International Shipping Week and was viewed by nearly 40,000 people during the first month. Analysis shows that 62% of the people who have watched the advert are female.

Jonathan Roberts, communications director for the UK Chamber of Shipping, said:

“We are delighted to have been recognised by such a prestigious body. The film, which was funded by the Maritime Educational Foundation, represents the ambitious approach we are taking to ensure shipping becomes one of the most high-profile and influential industries in the country.

“We know that many people are interested in developing a career at sea, but with fierce competition from other industries, we must constantly evolve our message if we are to recruit the brightest and best. That is something we will continue to do in 2018.”

Over 350 volunteers are currently involved in the Careers at Sea Ambassadors campaign, which provides information about careers in the Merchant Navy to schools and careers fairs across the UK.

The volunteers, of whom all are current or former serving seafarers, are able to share their personal experiences with would-be mariners, and aim to raise awareness of maritime industry and the career prospects it offers.

So far in 2017, there have been 225 requests for Careers at Sea Ambassador visits, of which 144 have been attended, which is a 269% increase in attendance since 2015.

Fena Boyle, the MNTB’s training and careers manager and coordinator of the Careers At Sea Ambassadors initiative, said of the awards:

“We are delighted. These awards are a nod to all the hard work and commitment that the Careers at Sea Ambassadors put in throughout the year and the increasing number of young people they reach with details of careers in the Merchant Navy.”

For more information on Careers at Sea and to find out more about becoming an Ambassador, visit its website or contact Fena Boyle.

 

Wording: UK Chamber of Shipping