Havant MP Alan Mak calls for specialist maritime apprenticeship to be protected

Havant MP Alan Mak has called for a specialist maritime apprenticeship to be protected to help local young people.

Skills England is consulting on proposals to end the Level 3 Small Commercial Vessel Crewmember apprenticeship for new starters because of comparatively small enrolment numbers.

The two-year apprenticeship equips people with skills used across ports and harbours, offshore industries and the growing marine autonomy sector, and is relevant to our local area.

Mr Mak and Conservative colleagues have signed a letter to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden calling for the apprenticeship to be retained.

He said: "This apprenticeship delivers tangible economic value to coastal communities like ours. But without this structured, funded pathway, entry into the maritime sector will become financially prohibitive for young people from the Havant Constituency.

"I strongly oppose the proposal to stop offering it and urge the Work and Pensions Secretary to intervene and retain this apprenticeship to protect an essential skills pipeline for our local and national maritime economy."