Anne McGuire Opens Merchant Navy Careers Day

21 Nov 2002

Scotland Office Minister Anne McGuire will officially open the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies Merchant Navy Careers fair today ( Thursday 21 November).

The fair will promote jobs in the Merchant Navy to those contemplating a career in the maritime sector. Representatives of major shipping companies will be on hand to answer questions.

The Minister will highlight the Government's recognition of the importance of the maritime sector and will outline Government commitments to supporting merchant shipping in the UK.

Anne McGuire said:

"I am pleased to have been invited to open the Merchant Navy Careers fair at the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. The Merchant Navy has served this country well, both in times of war and peace. The UK is a maritime state relying on sea transport for 95 per cent of its imports and exports. The Government recognises the importance of shipping to our economic future and is supporting the Merchant Navy through practical measures such as the tonnage tax.

Mrs McGuire added:

"The Merchant Navy offers modern, challenging opportunities to students who are looking for a career in the maritime sector. On Merchant Navy Day on 3 September this year I met some officer cadets from the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and representatives of the Leith Merchant Navy Association. Events like today's career awareness day are an ideal way of raising the profile of the Merchant Navy and the employment options it offers."

Notes to Editors

1. The Glasgow College of Nautical Studies Careers Awareness Day is from 10:30 hrs - 14:00 hrs at 21 Thistle Street, Glasgow
2. Glasgow College of Nautical Studies is one of three colleges in the UK offering the full range of courses for Merchant Navy officer cadets with around 300 places currently available each year. The College has also introduced a new BSc in Nautical Science in collaboration with the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) of Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. For more details of courses available access www.glasgow-nautical.ac.uk
3. Government support for seafarer training is focused on the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) Scheme. SMarT funded 480 new cadets in 2001/2002. The government's new Tonnage tax introduced in the Finance Act 2000 will help to further increase numbers of training places. British shipping companies can opt to pay tax on the tonnage of the ships operated rather than normal corporation tax. In return operators must undertake to train sufficient seafarers to meet future manpower needs. The scheme requires participating operators to recruit one officer trainee each year for every existing 15 officer posts and to take action to increase training and career prospects for ratings. After three years, there should be one cadet under training for every five existing officer posts.