Businesses in Scotland that contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy can now apply for a workforce development grant of up to £10,000, which the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) says could open up opportunities for seafarers, the UK Chamber of Shipping informed.
As explained, the Scottish Government is providing £10 million to the Scottish Funding Council to launch the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, which aims to help pay for employee training to up-skill and re-skill companies’ existing workforces through one of Scotland’s further education colleges.
Kathryn Neilson, director of MNTB, hopes that the organization will enhance seafarer career opportunities.
“We are constantly looking at ways of attracting people into the industry and by offering this type of grant funding to workers who wish to retrain, we are opening up the possibilities of a career in the Merchant Navy,” she noted.