Consultation on Rating Apprenticeships

Circular No: NP/103/14

TO ALL SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE BRANCHES, REGIONAL ORGANISERS, REGIONAL COUNCILS, & COUNCIL OF EXECUTIVES.

Our ref: S1/1/S3/8/14

10th June 2014

Dear Colleagues

Consultation on Rating Apprenticeships

Further to the circular No. NP/073/14 of 2nd April, I am writing to alert you to the current consultation on the design of new standards for Ratings Apprenticeships in the maritime industry.

The union is part of the ‘Trailblazer Working Group’ appointed by the Government to develop the standards for new maritime apprenticeships. Industry, the maritime unions and the Maritime Skills Alliance (MSA) are all represented on the Group and have drafted standards for the following seafarer rating apprenticeships:

•    Able seafarer (deck)
•    Onboard services rating
•    Catering rating

The MSA has launched an online consultation form for responses to the draft standards for each apprenticeship. It takes about 15 minutes to respond to all three and can be found here: http://www.maritimetrailblazer.com/3/en-GB/News
Hard copies of the standards are attached to this circular and are also available on the same web page as the consultation. The deadline for responses is 18th June. The union will be responding and RMT seafarers are urged to submit their views as part of this exercise.

The union will also apply pressure through the Trailblazer Working Group and the Merchant Navy Training Board for the development of standards for an engine rating apprenticeship.

In addition, the RMT Parliamentary Group has secured a meeting with the Apprenticeship Minister, Matthew Hancock MP on 23rd June at which we will press the Government to guarantee that this work leads to an early and substantial increase in the number of rating apprentices in the maritime industry. I will keep you informed of the outcome to this meeting and other work the union is involved in to develop and promote ratings apprenticeships in the maritime industry.
I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of members in your Branch.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
Acting General Secretary