Employment

The current position for seafarer employment is far more positive than might ever have been dreamed of in 2000.  The revived British fleet has managed to maintain employment and boost training, particularly of officers. 

The number of new entrants on officer training programmes continues to rise, with more than 950 trainees commencing courses at colleges and universities in 2009, twice the level of 2000 and the highest for at least 20 years.  This has been achieved thanks to a variety of influences, including the tonnage tax training commitment and the introduction of degree programmes as an entry route into the industry. 

The first cohort of officer trainees on Foundation Degree/Scottish Professional Diploma programmes completed their courses during summer 2009.  Many have now achieved their first Watchkeeping Certificate of Competency and are making their way into the ranks of junior officers to start their seafaring and industry careers proper.

In 2007 the UK shipping industry directly employed 96,000 - up by 1,000 from the previous year.  The 2009 report by Oxford Economics on the economic contribution of UK shipping (see Publications) showed that the industry supports 212,000 jobs and that for every job supported in the UK shipping industry a further 2.2 jobs were supported through indirect and induced multiplier effects.