Merseyside-based Cammell Laird has announced an increase to its apprenticeship intake for 2020, enabling 25 people to forge a successful career at the shipyard and marine engineering services company.

In spite of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the company remains committed to growing its apprenticeship programme and is making five additional places available this year — it took on 20 new apprentices last year.

Over the last 12 years, Cammell Laird has recruited almost 300 apprentices across a broad range of roles. Its apprenticeship programme is one of the largest in the UK maritime industry, representing an investment of over £19 million to date.

More than 700 applications have been submitted for the 2020 programme, which will offer apprenticeships in welding, mechanics, pipefitting and plating. Successful 2020 applicants will be given the opportunity to work on a wide variety of ships and vessels, and to be part of unique, high-profile projects, gaining invaluable maritime experience.

Recent apprentice cohorts, for example, have been involved with the RRS David Attenborough project, helping to develop one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world.

During the four-year apprenticeship training programme, Cammell Laird supports its new team members to acquire high-level technical skills, strong problem-solving competencies and a flair for innovation.

The apprenticeships are delivered in conjunction with The Engineering College, the most successful and wide-ranging provider of engineering apprenticeships and related training in Merseyside.

David McGinley, CEO of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd and Atlantic & Peninsula Marine Services, said, “We are determined to provide career opportunities to an increased number of people from the local area and our apprenticeship programme allows us to do this.

“Cammell Laird has both a rich history and an exciting future, and our apprentices play an essential role in helping to protect our heritage and forge our ongoing success.

“We are able to provide world-leading maritime experience on projects that you wouldn’t find anywhere else and we are proud of this, along with our commitment to helping plug the engineering skills gap in the North West and supporting the local economy through job creation. We very much look forward to welcoming our 2020 apprentices onboard.”

The new intake will commence their apprenticeships at Cammell Laird in November 2020.