Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and officials in the Department for Transport regarding the future supply of seafarer Apprentices to the ferry industry from nautical colleges in coastal communities.

The Government recognises the important role that maritime training and employment opportunities play in supporting growth, productivity and skills development in coastal communities. The Department for Transport, which leads government policy on the maritime sector, engages with other departments such as DfE and DWP, where workforce needs relate to the wider skills system. Through Skills England, Government are working with employers and sector bodies so that occupational standards underpinning apprenticeships and technical qualifications reflect current and future needs. Skills England’s Occupational Maps also help people understand routes into maritime careers.

As part of its routine review of apprenticeships, Skills England launched a recent call for feedback from employers regarding the future of five maritime apprenticeships. Responses from industry were strongly in support of retention, and my noble Friend the Minister for Skills took the decision to retain all five apprenticeships in light of industry feedback.