UK Launches Shipbuilding Skills Group

Steering UK Shipbuilding Towards Skilled Horizons

The UK government, in a collaborative effort with industry leaders, has set up the Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group. This initiative is a direct response to the recommendations of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce, focusing on enhancing the skills and innovation within the UK shipbuilding industry.

The Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group

Establishing Strategic Oversight

The National Shipbuilding Office has begun recruiting members, including a chair, for the newly established Skills Delivery Group. This group is tasked with overseeing and driving the recommendations of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce report. Its role extends to being a continuous advocate for shipbuilding skills in the sector.

A Focus on Delivery and Diversity

The Skills Delivery Group will engage with employers, governments, and educators across the UK. Its objectives include helping the industry leverage the skills system to meet its needs, attracting and retaining talent, and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. The group will also play a pivotal role in developing future skills essential for innovation and the transition to net zero in the shipbuilding industry.

Background of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce

The Department for Education established the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce (UKSST) in July 2022 as a key component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSbS). Its primary goal was to assess the shipbuilding industry’s skills needs and develop recommendations to address them.

In September 2023, the UKSST published its recommendations to the government, industry, and educators, concluding its work in December 2023. The government plans to issue a comprehensive response to the Taskforce’s report, “A Step Change in UK Shipbuilding Skills,” in the Spring.

The National Shipbuilding Office’s Role

Implementation of the NSbS

The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) established itself to implement the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSbS) and to strategically oversee the entire shipbuilding enterprise. The NSO oversees government interests in UK shipbuilding and drives transformative change across the industry.

Future Plans and Expectations

The Skills Delivery Group, as a sub-group of the Shipbuilding Enterprise for Growth (SEG), assumes responsibility for the skills aspect of the NSbS implementation. The SEG serves as the interface for collaboration between the government and industry in executing the NSbS.

RAdm Rex Cox, CEO of the National Shipbuilding Office, expressed the priority of accessing the necessary skills for the UK shipbuilding sector. Hon Captain Dr. Paul Little CBE, Chair of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce, highlighted the transformative nature of the Taskforce’s report and its call for action from industry, government, and educators.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group marks a significant step forward in advancing the UK shipbuilding industry. Through strategic collaboration and focused skill development, the UK aims to bolster its position in the global shipbuilding market and foster a more

innovative, diverse, and skilled workforce. This initiative not only promises to enhance the sector’s competitiveness but also to create sustainable growth and opportunities across the nation.