Home > News > August 2005 > 24-Aug-2005

Feasibility study to look at ports, shipping and logistics academy

The Haven Gateway Partnership has commissioned a feasibility study to look at the establishment of a permanent academy to help meet training and skills needs at the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich, Ipswich and Mistley.

The Akenham Partnership in Ipswich has been appointed as research consultant for an evaluation of training needs and to consider the feasibility of establishing a permanent academy.

As part of the study, which is being partially funded by the Essex and Suffolk Learning and Skills Councils, Akenham will be approaching businesses within the ports, shipping and logistics sector for their views.

"We want to discuss companies' training needs and discover their views regarding training provision," said consultant David Warren.

This research aims to:

• Identify demands for skills in the ports, shipping and logistics sector
• Identify training provision already available
• Identify any gaps in provision
• Evaluate whether a permanent skills Academy could provide a venue for the required training

According to the Haven Gateway Partnership, the ports, shipping and logistics sector offers a wealth of job and career opportunities - not only the obvious, such as loading and unloading ships and driving trucks, but also in warehousing, ship agency, freight forwarding, maritime law, specialist IT, insurance, engineering and technology. The Partnership says that about 15,000 people are employed in the Haven Gateway's ports, shipping and logistics industries, with at least another 10,000 working in related and supporting businesses.

"The Haven Gateway Partnership was set up four years ago to raise the profile of the area and create and promote economic opportunities based on the ports. Recruitment, skills and training were identified as key issues right from the start," said Haven Gateway project manager Richard Morton. "We are working to ensure that the skills required will be available as our ports continue to expand."

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