Associated British Ports (ABP) has appointed five apprentices following the successful launch of its new marine apprenticeship training scheme at its four Humber ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull, and Goole, the UK’s busiest estuary and port complex.
The aim of the scheme is to prepare a source of highly trained marine employees to maintain the high professional standards ABP’s customers have come to expect from the UK’s leading port operator. Designed to give hands-on training in all aspects of a port’s marine operations, the scheme offers exciting career opportunities which can lead to the highest levels within the operational teams that control shipping movements at ABP’s 21 ports.
The new apprentices, Keeta, Darren, Ryan, Danny, and Tony, have embarked on a four-year long programme comprising a wide range of both academic and practical training across the four Humber ports.
Tony, from Hull , explained why he applied for the apprenticeship scheme: “It was an opportunity that doesn’t happen very often – to work for such a prestigious company. I thought the skills I would learn would set me up with great career opportunities to better myself and to excel within the company.”
His sentiments were echoed by Ryan, from Hull: “I applied for this role with ABP to kick-start what I hope will be a long and interesting career, and to enable me to progress and gain good qualifications.”
Keeta, who has moved up from Hampshire to complete the apprenticeship, said: “So far I have enjoyed every aspect of the apprenticeship, from learning the theory behind ship operations to ‘learning the ropes’ on the lock side. Everyone has made us welcome and has been keen to pass on their expert knowledge.”
Captain Martin Gough, ABP Dock Master Humber , said: “We received a large number of very good applications, which made selecting 36 for interview – and then reducing that number to the ten we took through to an assessment day – an extremely difficult task. It was virtually impossible to separate the top five so, although the original intention was to only take four apprentices, we actually decided to take five.”
He added: “All five have settled in well, with all showing the aptitude we want from them, so we are extremely excited about this innovative scheme and we wish them luck as they embark on an exciting career.”
[mappress]
ABP, October 22, 2012