Apprentices at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead will have the chance to train at A&P shipyards and with ferry operator Red Funnel under a new agreement. Tony McDonough reports

Apprentices at Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird will have the opportunity to train in other areas of the industry in a new three-way partnership.

It has signed an agreement with A&P Group, which operates ship repair facilities in the North East and South West, and ferry company Red Funnel, which operates services between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Under the agreement, which goes live in September, apprentices from all three businesses will spend periods of time across multiple locations to increase their knowledge, understanding and skills within the maritime sector.

Both Cammell Laird and A&P have recruited hundreds of apprentices in recent years, offering training in marine engineering, fabrication, electrical, project management, health and safety, finance and procurement.

Red Funnel operates a fleet of Ro-Pax vehicles and Red Jet Hi speed passenger catamarans which carry 3.4m passengers and 900,000 vehicles each year. It also has a well established apprenticeship programme.

Under the A&P and Red Funnel commercial partnership agreement, Red Funnel’s Raptor Class vessels, Red Falcon, Red Eagle and Red Osprey have been visiting A&P Group’s Falmouth facility for dry dockings and repairs for the past five years.

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In 2019 Cammell Laird successfully completed the build of the Red Kestrel, the latest edition of the Raptor Class. This new agreement will further cement Cammell Laird, A&P and Red Funnel’s relationship.

Apprentices from all three organisations will now be given the chance to visit each other’s operations and undergo a bespoke training programme, which will equip them with a greater understanding of the life cycle of the Red Funnel fleet.

David McGinley, chief executive of Cammell Laird and A&P Group, said: “Red Funnel is a long-standing customer of both A&P and Cammell Laird and as such, is a key stakeholder of both A&P and Cammell Laird.

“We are committed to providing our apprentices with the most comprehensive training, to equip them with the skills needed for a bright future. It makes sense that we offer our apprentices, the next generation of workers who will build and maintain the Red Funnel vessels, the chance to see the vessels in day-to-day operation.”

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Fran Collins, chief executive of Red Funnel, added: “A&P and Cammell Laird engineers play a fundamental role in maintaining and supporting the Raptor Class, boosting efficiency, reducing downtime and enhancing the availability of the fleet for Red Funnel customers.

“This new collaborative apprenticeship agreement will offer Red Funnel, A&P and Cammell Laird apprentices an insight in ship repair, ship building and life at sea, which will give them a greater insight into the importance of their training and future career.”