A Devon college at the forefront of helping women break into marine engineering is celebrating International Women’s Day this week.

South Devon College wants to help change the perception of the marine industry by encouraging more women to work in the sector.

Currently, women make up 14.5% of all engineers but there has been an increase in the last few years. An increase that Harriette Wade-West, marine lecturer at South Devon College, has seen reflected in the student population at the Marine Academy.

"We are seeing increasing numbers of female students on marine courses, in engineering as well as boat-building and other disciplines. This is really encouraging to see, and it's great to be at the forefront of this shift.

“Pursuing a career in the maritime sector is a great choice for women as there are so many options and opportunities for a challenging career, with the chance to work anywhere in the world.”

Working alongside Princess Yachts, one of the world’s leading boat builders, South Devon College offers a marine engineering apprenticeship and the gender split is changing.

“We have reached a 25/75 female to male split and getting a 50/50 split is looking more likely and it will revolutionise the marine industry,” explained Alison Thompson, Head of Learning and Development at Princess Yachts. 

Charlotte Hewitson who is inspired by the many opportunities is marine engineering

20 year old Charlotte Hewitson from Plymouth studied engineering at college but only recently decided to specialise in marine engineering. Now she’s on an apprenticeship at Princess Yachts which involves one day of study at South Devon College.

“My sector inspires me because there are so many opportunities and experiences across the whole sector not just in my job currently but as a whole. I also like how the jobs vary and there’s a broad range of jobs including mechanical and electrical.

I hope to finish my apprenticeship with Princess yachts and expand my knowledge, skills and experience.”

Freya Wood who plans to travel the world with her marine engineering qualification

Also on the marine engineering apprenticeship programme at Princess Yachts is 19 year old Freya Wood. She enjoys the practical side of the work and the fact that it’s then backed up by her study at college.

“I like engineering because you can see the work you’ve put in, even when it’s little jobs, it’s nice to see it and just think “I did that” and have a physical reminder of the work you do.”

Freya, who has been interested in engineering since she was 13 years old after attending a career event, hopes to travel the world with her skills and live in different countries.

Both Charlotte and Freya study at South Devon College’s specialist Marine Academy which is relocating next month to Noss on Dart. 

In the planning for 10 years South Devon Marine Academy aims to close the skills gap within the maritime sector and offer students a vibrant and flexible education with strong industry relationships.

“The maritime sector is forecast to grow by 15% between 2019 and 2023,” explained Harriette Wade-West.

The academy is perfectly placed for supporting academic study with practical delivery on the water and offers students of all ages top rate facilities including a marine engineering workshop, research and design facility and a bridge simulator.

For those wishing to pursue higher-level qualifications, the Marine Academy also offers two foundation degrees, Marine Technologies and Maritime Leadership and Vessel Management, which is currently in an exciting redevelopment phase.

Next month on April 1st, in celebration of International Women into Marine Day 2022, an event is being held at South Devon College’s Hi Tech & Digital Centre. It’s aimed at young women who are interested in a career within the marine sector. Starting at 9.45 there’s a variety of activities planned including a talk from Holly Manvell of Sea Cleaners, build a boat activity and a virtual regatta VR experience.

More information here

Harland & Wolff, the iconic Belfast shipyard with over 160 years of maritime and offshore engineering, has welcomed 13 new apprentices to its flagship site as part of its very first ‘Apprentice Induction Day’.

According to H&W the scheme will run in line and with partnership from Northern Regional College and will see apprentices range from 17 - 28 years old, with a mixture of genders.

The Apprentice Day which was held last Friday, gave the newest recruits a chance to tour the site as well as learn more about the company’s heritage and significance within national and international maritime sectors.

Steven Wright, General Manager at Harland & Wolff (Belfast), who started his career as an H&W apprentice commented: “We are extremely excited to be welcoming our first intake of apprentices to Belfast and to the Harland & Wolff Group. This is a great opportunity to pass on the vast skills, knowledge, and expertise of our current employees to the next generation of marine engineers and shipbuilders.

"As work ramps up throughout the yard and with significant investment towards on-site innovation, it is an incredibly exciting time to join the business. Infamously known as the birthplace of British shipbuilding and maritime excellence, our apprentices will not only gain valuable first-hand industry experience but will be able to continue our proud legacy – all whilst doing so with the backdrop of Samson and Goliath, our iconic gantry cranes.”

Harland & Wolff Apprenticeships are offered across three distinct functions, Trade, (welders, pipefitters, electricians, riggers, fabricators, etc) Technical, (engineers, naval architecture) and Business Support (sales, administration).

Highlights of the unique training programme include practical on-the-job training, one to one mentoring alongside its experienced workforce, shipyard training facilities and the opportunity to earn while you learn.

Harland & Wolff is a multisite fabrication company, operating in the maritime and offshore industry through five markets: commercial, cruise and ferry, defence, oil & gas and renewables and six services: technical services, fabrication and construction, decommissioning, repair and maintenance, in-service support and conversion.

Its Belfast yard is one of Europe’s largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe’s largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls.

As a result of the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in August 2020, the company has been able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where this will be significant demand.

In February 2021, the company acquired the assets of two Scottish based yards along the east and west coasts. Now known as Harland & Wolff (Methil) and Harland & Wolff (Arnish), these facilities will focus on fabrication work within the renewable, oil and gas and defence sectors.

Harland & Wolff is a wholly-owned subsidiary of InfraStrata plc (AIM: INFA), a London Stock Exchange-listed firm focused on strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset life-cycle management.

In addition to Harland & Wolff, it owns the Islandmagee gas storage project, which is expected to provide 25% of the UK’s natural gas storage capacity and to benefit the Northern Irish economy as a whole when completed.

#PORTS & SHIPPING -Island Kestrel (2009/90grt) a 22m Multi-Cat, is the latest acquisition for Island Shipping, the Wicklow based marine engineering, plant and consultancy company, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The versatile shallow draft twin –screw vessel is of the Eurocarrier 2209 design built by Neptune Marine Service in The Netherlands. The vessel is equipped with powerful winches, a deck crane and fuel and water transfer systems.

Island Kestral is classified by Bureau Veritas as a I HULL MACH Special Service Multi-Purpose Vessel. This designation allows the vessel to perform an impressive and wide-range of tasks: towage (15 tonnes bollard),salvage, barge, and anchor handling, dredge support, fuel and fresh water supply; survey, sampling and dive support.

She is to be deployed to operate in the charter market in offshore construction projects, both in the renewables and marine civil sectors.