UK shipbuilding skills taskforce (UKSST)
The taskforce will develop and implement a skills strategy for shipbuilding in the UK to ensure the UK’s shipbuilding industry has a skilled workforce.
Role
The taskforce will work across government and with the shipbuilding industry to:
- identify the skills needed and provide solutions to skills shortages, particularly those related to new and emerging technologies
- ensure that shipbuilders and the supply chain in all parts of the UK can access the skills they need
- use the existing skills system so training providers can train the future workforce
- draw on best practice from other sectors and national skills approaches to optimise skills funding and opportunities for shipbuilding
- promote training funding and career opportunities in the shipbuilding sector
The taskforce was launched in July 2022 and will conclude in December 2023. It will produce a set of recommendations for the Department for Education and the National Shipbuilding Office to review by the end of September 2023. During the final 6 months, the taskforce will begin to implement the agreed actions, and, with government, will identify routes for continuation of this work beyond that point.
The taskforce was established in the National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh and will report to the National Shipbuilding Strategy board.
Terms of reference
Membership
Current members:
- Paul Little, Principal and Chief Executive, City of Glasgow College (Chair)
- Adrian Bevin, Head of Curriculum, Technology, South Devon College
- Andrew Cree, Deputy Director Future Training, Royal Navy
- Bob King, Head of Defence Industry Group, Prospect Trade Union
- Edward Corbett, Project Engineer, representing Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
- Hannah Prowse, CEO, Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust
- Jim McHarg, HR Director, Marine and Engineering Systems, Babcock International Group
- Keith Longman, Yard Manager, Berthon Boat Company Ltd
- Kerrie Forster, CEO, Workboat Association
- Linton Roberts, Chief Technology Officer, Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd and A&P Group Ltd
- Mark Whitehead, Commercial Manager, Windcat Workboats Ltd
- Matt Bolton, Chief Executive Officer, UKNEST
- Matthew Guy, Human Resources Director, Thales UK
- Nick Mansell, Chief Executive Officer, Intermarine UK
- Paul Feely, Academy and Engineering Director, BAE Systems Naval
- Paul Turner, HR Director, Princess Yachts Ltd
- Rachel Kitley, Principal, Cowes Enterprise College, Ormiston Academies Trust
- Richard Westgarth, Industry Engagement, BMT MarRI-UK, and Adjunct Professor, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute
- Sarah Dhanda, Head of Policy and Partnerships, Enginuity
- Tahsin Tezdogan, Associate Professor in Maritime Engineering, University of Southampton
Meetings
Meetings are held monthly:
Email updates
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