PSS highlights need to retain specialist maritime apprenticeships

PSS has called on Skills England to retain the Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember Level 3 apprenticeship, highlighting its importance to the future marine workforce needs of the port sector.

Small commercial vessel crews carry out specialist, safety-critical work supporting port operations, towage, marine services, offshore activity, and wider coastal infrastructure. The apprenticeship provides a nationally recognised route through which practical vessel experience, technical competence, operational judgement, and safe working are developed in the workplace.

PSS’s response to the consultation highlights that low learner numbers are an expected feature of specialist maritime occupations and should not, in isolation, be taken as evidence that employer demand or future workforce need has reduced. Evidence from the port sector shows that the Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember apprenticeship supports current marine operations, succession planning, and the development of personnel working in live harbour environments. It also provides a route into skilled maritime employment, with apprentices progressing into a range of wider marine roles.

Entry-level maritime apprenticeships offer valuable earn-and-learn opportunities and can support social mobility, particularly in coastal communities where access to specialist training and career opportunities may be more limited.

PSS has urged Skills England to retain the apprenticeship and work with employers, providers, and relevant maritime bodies to review and refresh it as needed. The response also calls for appropriate weight to be given to employer evidence, safety-criticality, strategic importance, and future workforce need when reviewing specialist, low-volume apprenticeship standards.