A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE

Graphic version of this page | Change how these pages look

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE
Back

28 March 2006

Lews Castle College and ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne’s subsidiary company Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Limited have this week launched an initiative aimed at providing young people resident in the Western Isles with new opportunities for employment at sea. The training programme was developed in response to discussions between the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (R.M.T.), Cal Mac and Lews Castle College.

Lews Castle College's motto - "Muir is Tir" - reflects the maritime tradition of both the college and the Western Isles. College staff have been developing a range of courses over the years to support local people and help them gain the necessary skills to lead to a career in the Merchant Navy. Don Neil Mackenzie, Head of Maritime and Construction at Lews Castle College said: “These include "ratings" courses, access to deck and engineering officer programmes and a range of other maritime courses including sea-survival. This innovative programme is a partnership pilot training scheme which will initially lead to 4 trainees being employed by CalMac Crewing. Further trainees could be taken on in the future depending on the success of this pilot programme.”

Young people aged 16-18 are being targeted through the scheme which will see them being employed by CalMac Crewing under the SKILLSEEKERS programme. Alan Moffat, CalMac’s HR (UK) Managing Director of Human Resources said: “CalMac has worked closely with Lews Castle College and the Hebridean Marine Society to promote maritime careers over the years but the new pilot programme is hopefully part of a significant new partnership between CalMac Crewing and the college to create new job opportunities for young people in the Hebrides. If it is successful, CalMac Crewing hopes to work with the college to expand this opportunity to other parts of Scotland. CalMac Crewing is committed to working in partnership with the college and the communities we serve to maximize the opportunities for employment and skills development leading to a career at sea”.

Lews Castle College also provides sea-survival and other mandatory courses suitable for those looking for employment with CalMac Crewing over the summer months.

“As a union the R.M.T. is committed to working with management and training providers to enhance the skills of staff” said Mr George Lonie, R.M.T. “This new training programme is an excellent example of what can be achieved through working in partnership, that is new job opportunities and skills development delivered locally. The R.M.T. is committed to working with our partners to make this pilot initiative a success and assist other youngsters to gain employment in the future.”

CalMac has two wholly owned subsidiaries which manage staffing and crew resources. All seagoing employees are employed by CalMac Crewing (Guernsey) Ltd. The second subsidiary company, CalMac HR (UK) Limited, which is based in Gourock, provides comprehensive HR services to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd and also assists Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Limited in providing HR, payroll and crew resources.

Details of the job opportunities available with Caledonian MacBrayne are available on the company’s website www.calmac.co.uk Job opportunities are listed separately for seagoing and shore-based staff under the appropriate sites relating to CalMac’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Caledonian MacBrayne HR (UK) Limited and Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Limited.

Further information and application forms for the CalMac/Lews Castle College Marine
Training Programme are available by phoning Christine on 01851-770-241.

Caption for Picture: Representatives of the RMT, Cal Mac and Lews Castle College finalise the design of the new marine training programme at Lews Castle College.

Media Contact: Callum Ian MacMillan Tel 01851 770 498

Home
| Privacy Policy | Website Credits | Disclaimer |

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited (SC302282)