Port of Fleetwood welcomes top nautical students for work experience programme

Last week, the Port of Fleetwood welcomed fifteen students from Fleetwood Nautical Campus for a work experience programme, designed to equip them with a deeper understanding of port operations and careers in the maritime sector.

The primary goal of the programme was to expose students to the practical side of port operations through work shadowing. Many elements were covered during the work experience including pre-shift briefings, tool box talks, which are a special type of safety talk practiced by ABP, and more.

Speaking about the experience, Neil Atkinson, Head of Fleetwood Nautical Campus, said:

“The work experience element of the students programme is vital to developing their key skills, which they will use when they go to sea, and gives them a valuable insight into the important role of seafarers ashore supporting the maritime industry in the UK.

“The Port of Fleetwood has provided an ideal work environment for our students to develop key skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and time management.

“We are grateful for the opportunity provided to the students, who have given very positive feedback from their time with the team at Fleetwood, so thank you.”

Regarded as one of the UK’s top nautical institutions, Fleetwood Nautical Campus is part of Blackpool and The Fylde College and has won the prestigious Maritime and Coastguard Agency Officer Trainee of the Year Award seven times in ten years.

Carl Bevan, ABP Divisional Port Manager – North West, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome these young and enthusiastic students to the Port of Fleetwood and we hope they managed to gain a valuable insight into port operations during the work experience.

“ABP is committed to attracting new talent to the maritime industry not just in Fleetwood, but across its vast network of 21 ports in the UK, so that together we can keep Britain trading and contribute to a brighter, more prosperous future.”

About ABP: The UK’s leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo. The company contributes £7.5 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 119,000 jobs. 

About ABP North West: With the support of its customers, ABP’s North West ports of Silloth, Barrow, Fleetwood and Garston contribute £550 million to the UK economy every year.

• ABP’s ports in the North West handle over 800,000 tonnes of cargo each year
• Barrow is home to BAE Systems submarine manufacturing base
• Fleetwood marina offers 420 fully serviced berths and first class facilities
• Silloth supports the milling, agricultural & construction sectors in West Cumbria