Students explored different routes into maritime-related careers and ‘jobs of the future’ when they visited Portland Port.
The group of Wey Valley School pupils met staff and toured facilities during the inspirational trip organised by the Sail Training Trust (STT) Portland in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation as part of its maritime education programme.
Highlights included a tour of a tug boat and the chance to see the port’s £26m deepwater berth, the marine office and historic military areas. Claire Pearce, from the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster, was also on hand with a presentation to explain how renewable energy projects could create skilled jobs during development and operation.
Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, said: “I hope the visit opened the students’ eyes to the many exciting and worthwhile careers in the maritime industry both now and in the future. “It was a pleasure to welcome the students and give them the opportunity to see what we do here and talk to our staff about their roles and the varied career paths they have taken. ““The maritime sector, including ports, remains a critically important industry for the UK and makes a valuable contribution to the country’s economy, national security and society. Our thanks go to the students, Wey Valley School, Sail Training Trust Portland, the Andrew Simpson Foundation and Claire Pearce for making it such a successful visit.”
Mr Reeves gave students an overview of how the port operates on a daily basis during the behind-the scenes tour. The eight-strong party of 13 to 15 years olds were given a tour of the port’s marine office by marine officer Gary Fooks. Port project engineer Rueben Stroud gave the students a presentation about his role. He embarked on an apprenticeship after contacting the port directly about job openings and is now taking a degree through the business.Commercial assistant Josh Jenvey, who also approached the port personally about vacancies, told students about the level 3 business administration apprenticeship he took through the port and Weymouth College. Environment and planning officer Joe Roberts explained how he graduated with a degree before working at the port.
Holly Jones, from Andrew Simpson Centre (ASC) Portland, said: “The trip was a great opportunity for our students to get a feel for career pathways available in the maritime industry around Portland.“It was great to hear from so many different people about the pathways they took to get to their current role.The trip has really inspired our students to consider all options to achieve their goals and not just traditional routes into work.”
In her presentation, Claire told pupils about the career possibilities from clean energy projects proposed for the area and Portland’s potential as a strategic hub for such technologies.
Portland Port has signed memorandums of understanding with leading European renewable energy developers Source Galileo to develop opportunities around its PortWind offshore wind project proposed in the English Channel and with UK Energy Storage (UKEn) for green hydrogen storage.
Portland Port employs 57 people in a variety of office and shoreside roles, including marine engineers, marine officers, apprentices, pilot boat and tug crew, maintenance, security, port police, administration and accounting, commercial and business development, asset management and landside services.
Separate businesses based at the port employ nearly 50 people in such sectors areas as marine engineering, marine services, refuelling, cargo import and export, boat building, renewable energy, aquaculture and subsea communications. The port’s cruise business contributes circa £10m to the local economy annually.
According to Maritime UK, the maritime sector supports more than 1.1 million jobs in the UK and adds £116bn to the economy. It is responsible for facilitating 95% of UK global trade, worth over £500bn per year. It makes a greater contribution to the UK economy than both rail and air combined.
The Andrew Simpson Foundation was set up in memory of an Olympic gold winning sailor who died following an accident during training with the Swedish Americas Cup team in May 2013 in San Francisco Bay.
It helps young people to get out on the water and experience the joys and challenges of sailing and watersports. Mr Simpson lived in Sherborne and was well known at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the charity has one of its centres.
The STT’s maritime education programme was created to help young people build confidence, independence and gain a greater understanding of local career paths.
Visit https://www.portland-port.co.uk/company/careers/ and https://sailtrainingtrust.org/ for more information.
About Portland Port
Portland Port is based in South Dorset and has operated on a commercial basis since 1996. Prior to this, the port operated as a naval base. It employs 57 staff and lets space to a number of tenants, including dry and liquid bulk cargo businesses, which together provide employment for about 300 people. The port also provides maritime and marine related services, including berthing facilities for visiting vessels. The port is operated and privately owned by the Portland Port Group.
Visit: https://www.portland-port.co.uk/.