In the grimy, salt-kissed heart of Hull, a beacon of hope has set sail, proving that maritime careers aren’t just for the privileged few. The Maritime Futures programme, a five-year voyage of vocational training, has just wrapped up, and the results are enough to make even the saltiest of old sea dogs raise an eyebrow.
Hull City Council has been steering this ship, and council leader Mike Ross is proud as punch. “This programme has not only equipped individuals with the practical and numeracy skills needed to thrive at sea,” he boasts, “but it has also opened doors for those who might never have considered a maritime career.” And consider it they did. A whopping 86% of the 136 graduates hail from Hull’s most deprived areas, proving that opportunity doesn’t always knock, sometimes it needs a bit of a nudge.
The training, handled by East Coast Maritime Training, was no walk in the park. It covered the nitty-gritty of navigation, safety at sea, and even the maths behind calculating shares of a catch. But the effort paid off. Within a month of graduating, 80% of students had secured jobs, including two trailblazing women, Hannah Jenkinson and Megan Dosdale, who became the first women to join the crew of the Kirkella, a fishing trawler from the country’s dwindling distant-water fleet.
Captain Sigurbjörn Sigurdsson of the Kirkella is singing the programme’s praises. “The new recruits are adjusting well to life at sea,” he says, “have developed a good rapport with their crewmates and are performing strongly in their roles.” He credits the Maritime Futures Programme for attracting “talented and well-prepared individuals.”
So, what does this mean for the future of the maritime sector? Well, it’s a wake-up call, that’s for sure. If Hull can do it, why can’t other ports? This isn’t just about filling boots on the ground; it’s about changing perceptions, breaking down barriers, and showing that maritime careers are for everyone, not just the sons of sailors.
But let’s not get too misty-eyed. This is just the beginning. The maritime industry has a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusion. But if the success of the Maritime Futures programme is anything to go by, the future is looking bright. So, here’s to Hull, and here’s to the sea. May your voyages be smooth, your catches be plenty, and your crews be diverse.