Clients, cadets, and industry collaborators attended Clyde Marine Training’s (CMT) annual client conference at the Crowne Plaza hotel, Glasgow, on Tuesday 23rd November.
Ship owners, major marine colleges, trade bodies including the UK Chamber of Shipping, and Merchant Navy Training Board, and industry regulator the MCA were represented at the event which gave an update on CMT Company business and provided a platform for discussion on wider industry themes such as the future of merchant navy training and the recently published Maritime Skills Commission report on ‘Seafarer Cadet Training’.
The desire of all attending parties to work together to produce a pathway and training programme that benefited both the cadets and the industry was evident from the presentations given.
Thomas Campbell, Clyde Marine Training General Manager, commented on the event: “It was fantastic to be joined by associates from across the industry, and appreciate again the real benefit of having so many impassioned stakeholders together again to reflect and debate on the issues facing our industry.
“The vital role that seafarers fulfilled as key workers to ensure the flow of worldwide trade continued during a global pandemic shows just how important our role in training the next generation of seafarers really is, and how we must work together to ensure this training meets the requirements of modern and future shipping.”
Conference delegates also received presentations from Kathryn Neilson, Director at Merchant Navy Training Board and Tim Springett, Policy Director, at the UK Chamber of Shipping.
Laurence Brady of the Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation introduced the Buoyed Up charity which promotes the world of shipping to underprivileged school pupils, and from John Burden of ISCA Wellbeing spoke of the importance of mental health training for those working at sea.
Angus Ferguson of OnBoard Maritime also presented the future of Digital Learning by speaking about how their platform is enabling better access to teaching and materials wherever you are.
And to complete the conference, Cadets took part in the ever-popular Q&A session and gave an insight to delegates on their training experience, and much-welcomed personal feedback.
In the evening following, conference delegates attended the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association (SSBA) 106th Annual Dinner at the same location as guests of Clyde Marine Training, a fitting end to the day with attendees and companies coming together to support for a fantastic cause.
We hope everyone enjoyed their day, and we look forward to welcoming you again next year.
ENDS