DFDS apprenticeship ‘Passing Out’ ceremony
It was some two years ago that DFDS began training rating apprenticeships, and the programme has proved its worth to the extent that apprenticeships are now a key part of their seafarer workforce development plan.
The first ‘Passing Out’ ceremony of its kind took place on the DFDS ‘Dover Seaways’ on 9 September, during its daily voyage to Dunkirk. In her speech to the newly qualified ratings, their parents, DFDS staff and fellow seafarers, RMT officials and North Kent College, Glenys Jackson, Head of MNTB, congratulated Gemma Griffin Vice President HR & Crewing at DFDS for her foresight and the company’s commitment to ‘grow their own’ ratings and to embed rating apprenticeships into their annual training plan.
These nine newly qualified ratings receiving their apprenticeship completion certificates are shining examples of the next generation of UK ratings. With the government focus on apprenticeships, and the new apprenticeship levy due to come into place in April 2017, DFDS are well placed to take advantage of the benefits that this training offers. Not only will it help the company to have the seafarers they need as their older generation of ratings reach retirement, they will have a committed, loyal, well-trained, keen and enthusiastic workforce, ready to meet the challenges of a seafaring career. This programme also shows DFDS’s commitment to providing local youth employment opportunities. Indeed, the next group of nine apprentices due to start their training were also at the event. They have a lot to live up to, they have a lot of learning and hard work ahead of them.
DFDS has shown that UK ratings can be the best of the best and the MNTB is very supportive of their efforts and work in this regard. Click here to find out more about how rating apprenticeships work, the funding they attract, the implications of the apprenticeship levy and for support in putting your own rating training programmes in place.
For more information about apprenticeships contact:
Training Development Manager
020 7417 2823