Clyde Marine Training (CMT) welcomed clients, colleges, industry bodies and cadets to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow on Tuesday 23 June 2026 for its annual conference.

The event brought together key voices from across the maritime training landscape to discuss cadet recruitment, training delivery, regulatory developments and the future needs of the Merchant Navy workforce.

Opening the conference, Thomas Campbell, General Manager at Clyde Marine Training, highlighted the importance of maintaining open dialogue between training providers, employers, colleges, cadets and industry bodies.

He said: “We all share the same ambition: to improve the cadet experience and support the development of the next generation of Merchant Navy officers.

“Bringing people together in this way helps us better understand the challenges, share ideas and continue improving how cadets are supported throughout their training.”

The conference agenda reflected the breadth of activity currently shaping cadet training, with CMT outlining ongoing work to enhance the systems and processes that support cadet management and training delivery.

Delegates also heard industry-wide updates covering Tonnage Tax, regulatory developments and workforce considerations.

Contributions from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the International Association for Maritime Institutions (IAMI), and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) provided valuable insight into the evolving regulatory and strategic landscape influencing cadet training and future workforce planning.

The agenda also included updates on CMT’s cadet systems, travel processes and training management systems. Attending delegate Rachel Pugh, Learning and Development Lead at Subsea7, reflected on the value of the discussions.

She said: “It was a well-organised event that brought together valuable insights from across the industry.

“The Tonnage Tax update, alongside contributions from the MCA, IAMI and MNTB, was particularly useful. Hearing directly from cadets was, as always, a real highlight.”

A dedicated session on industry research and reporting further supported the exchange of ideas, reinforcing the importance of continued alignment between training providers, employers and governing bodies.

One of the most anticipated parts of the conference came towards the end of the day, when cadets took centre stage. Through a cadet forum and informal discussions, they shared first-hand perspectives on training, college life and the realities of progressing towards a career at sea.

Their contributions provided a valuable reminder of the people behind training strategies, systems and decision-making.

Deck Cadet Elle Haworth said: “The conference gave valuable insight into the operational side of working at sea.

“The session on Tonnage Tax was particularly interesting, and it was encouraging to hear about improvements such as greater emphasis on ECDIS training.”

The event concluded with a visit to simulator facilities at City of Glasgow College, offering delegates further insight into the practical training environments where future officers develop their skills.

Reflecting on the event, Thomas Campbell added: “The conference once again showed the value of bringing the sector together in one room.

“By sharing updates, listening to industry partners and giving cadets a voice in the conversation, we can continue to strengthen the training experience and support the future of Merchant Navy training.”

ENDS