The apprentices join the port for a four year course in either mechanical or electrical engineering, which will see them spend one year full time at college, with a subsequent three years training on the job supplemented by further college study. Classroom based study will be delivered by the Maritime and Engineering College North West in Birkenhead, part of the Mersey Maritime Group.
All recruits to the programme were required to pass tough aptitude tests and interviews in order to secure their apprenticeships. They will work their way to NVQ 3 by their third year, and an HNC qualification by their fourth.
Megan Pickering, a nineteen year old from Runcorn, is amongst this year’s sizeable intake. She has made history by becoming the first ever female engineering apprentice at the Port of Liverpool.
The sixth form college graduate says she is overwhelmed by the scale of opportunity at the port. She said: “The size of the port is just breath taking. It’s not until you get on site and see the scale of activity that you realise just how much machinery is involved in the day to day operation of the port. It’s a very exciting prospect for a trainee engineer.”
All apprentices will develop skills in fabrication, welding, calibration and diagnostics, as well as report writing and problem solving. Staff at the port work closely with tutors at the Maritime and Engineering College to ensure the course is tailor made to deliver port-specific skills and is up to date with leading edge technologies. Each apprentice is assigned their own port employee mentor.
Gary Hodgson, Managing Director of Peel Ports Mersey says the investment in the apprenticeship programme underlines the Port of Liverpool’s commitment to local people and the wider region. He said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome 12 apprentices into the business at what is a particularly exciting time for the port in terms of our ability to be a creator of local wealth and prosperity.
“Investing in a highly skilled workforce is key to our future success. The fact that we are welcoming the largest number of apprentices we have seen in twenty years is indicative of the way our business is developing.
“Our apprenticeship programme is just one of a series of substantial investments and upgrades currently underway at the port, and one that we’re committed to expanding and developing year on year. Work is about to start on our £300m deep water container terminal, Liverpool 2, which will be operational in 2015. The new terminal will generate in the region of 5000 jobs over 20 years, which is great news for our apprentices – as well as being great news for the local and wider economy.”
All apprentices are employees of the port from the day they start their training; their salary increases incrementally over the four year apprenticeship. “To be able to get this kind of education, and get paid for it, is amazing”, Megan added. “The port is paying for an education I just couldn’t get anywhere else. Some people go to university and all they come out with is debt. I’m getting all of this – and a livelihood – for free. I’m really proud to be here.”