News
New Marine Fabrication & Welding Skills Bootcamp Launches to strengthen Solent’s maritime workforce
11th March 2026
British Maritime Training and Assessment in partnership with Fareport Training is launching a brand-new Marine Fabrication & Welding Skills Bootcamp, designed to equip local people with the practical, in-demand skills needed for careers in the region’s thriving maritime sector.
The new Skills Bootcamp has been developed in partnership with employers to ensure participants gain the capabilities industry is actively looking for. Funded through Solent Growth Partnership to directly meet regional skills gaps, the course will give learners the confidence and competence to step directly into skilled fabrication and welding roles. The first course will welcome employees from Griffon Marine.
Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, said: “We’ve developed this course with our partners and in collaboration with employers in response to a clear skills need. The course is designed to ensure learners gain the capabilities industry is actively looking for. "
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“As demand grows across shipbuilding, vessel repair, offshore energy, and advanced engineering, the new Marine Fabrication & Welding Skills Bootcamp will help local employers access a pipeline of job-ready talent at the same time as offering people in our local communities the opportunities into skilled, rewarding and well-paid careers.”
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Mark Downer, CEO of Griffon Marine: “We are delighted to be working with BMTA and the Solent Growth Partnership on this initiative and to be leading the way in the Solent area providing opportunities for our team to broaden their skills and so enhance our capabilities and resources. Recruiting and retaining talented individuals in the marine engineering and manufacturing sector is a big challenge in the UK and we are doing everything we can to overcome this, by working with our excellent local partners.”
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The course is delivered through a combination of workshop-based practical sessions, classroom learning, instructor demonstrations and continuous assessment. This approach ensures learners leave not only with technical skills, but with the professional confidence needed to succeed in fabrication and welding environments.
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Jodi Fair, Regional Growth & Partnerships Manager at Solent Growth Partnership said: “Investing in this Skills Bootcamp is crucial for the Solent region, where our world‑class maritime sector continues to drive economic opportunity and innovation. By funding programmes like this, we’re not only strengthening the pipeline of specialist fabrication and welding talent, but also ensuring that people can access high‑quality training across a full range of skills - from hands‑on, manual trades through to the digital and office‑based capabilities some businesses need. This balance is essential for supporting growth, boosting productivity, and helping our communities thrive.”
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James Ford, Strategic Partnerships Director at Fareport Training added: “We’re proud to be expanding our partnership with BMTA to deliver this new Fabrication and Welding Skills Bootcamp. Together, we’re opening up practical, high-quality training routes that help people build real confidence and step into in-demand careers. This programme sits alongside our Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp, strengthening the skills offers that local employers are calling for.”
Spirit Yachts Invests in Workforce as BMTA Opens Specialist Marine Electrician Training to New Regions
11th February 2026
British Maritime Training and Assessment (BMTA) has opened its award-winning Marine Electrician training course to companies beyond the South Coast for the first time, marking a significant step in widening access to specialist maritime training across the UK.
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Spirit Yachts, based in Ipswich, is among the first organisations outside the region to take up the opportunity, with two members of its team joining a small group upskilling with structured, hands‑on training in core marine electrical principles.
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The programme, originally developed in partnership with industry to deliver short skills bootcamp courses in the Solent region, has been expanded to provide a cost-effective training solution for organisations who need the skills but do not have access to bootcamp funding.
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Designed for both new entrants to the sector and existing staff, the bespoke training course takes place over 10 weeks and combines hands-on in person training alongside online training modules. It supports employers in developing safe, competent marine electricians at a time when modern vessels are becoming increasingly complex and electrically driven.
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The Marine Electrician Training Course forms part of BMTA’s wider work with employers across the UK to address the shortage of marine electrical specialists.
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Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, explained: “By partnering with organisations from across the South Coast and now in East Anglia with Spirit Yachts in Ipswich, we are expanding access to high‑quality technical training in regions where demand for skilled labour continues to grow. As systems become more advanced and electrification accelerates, structured training routes like this are essential to building a resilient, future‑ready maritime workforce.”
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Karen Underwood, Managing Director at Spirit Yachts, said, “As consumer trends change and technology develops it is critical for us to have a strong, skilled team in-house at Spirit Yachts. We continually look for ways to develop and upskill our staff, and the BMTA Marine Electrician course offers the opportunity to do just that. James and Olly are thriving on the course, giving them renewed motivation in their roles here at Spirit.”
Future-Proof Your Skills: Funded Marine Electrician Training Now Open
26th November 2025
Aspiring Marine Electricians or those looking to improve their maritime skillset are encouraged to secure the remaining places on the Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp, as the current cohort nears completion of their training.
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Skills Bootcamps are government-funded programs developed in partnership with industry to address local skills shortages. Delivered by British Maritime Training & Assessment (BMTA) and Fareport Training, the Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp is unique in the country. It is specifically designed to upskill electricians and engineers with specialist marine electrical expertise, enabling them to pursue rewarding careers in the maritime sector.
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Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, said: “The dedication shown by everyone on the current course is truly impressive. With the skills they've learned, these participants are well positioned to advance their careers and make a significant impact in the maritime sector. It’s been great to see the progress of both newcomers to the sector and those already working in the industry.”
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Registrations are now open for the January Marine Electrician Bootcamp. Employers enrolling team members pay a contribution towards course costs and the course is completely free of charge for those who are self-employed.
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Owen continued: “The Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamps are a fantastic opportunity for both those already working in the maritime sector who want to progress and for people working as domestic electricians to diversify, build skills and explore the many opportunities on offer in the marine and maritime industry. We’ve seen Maritime businesses sending their staff on the course as a strategic tool to upskill their teams, future-proof their operations, and ensure they’re equipped for the evolving demands of the industry, as well as individuals looking to enhance their skills and find new work opportunities."
New Maritime Careers and Training Podcast Series Launched to Inspire the Next Generation of Maritime Professionals
6th November 2025
Maritime careers are at the heart of British Maritime Training & Assessment’s (BMTA) latest initiative - a dedicated podcast series designed to open up maritime career opportunities to as many people as possible.
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The Maritime Careers and Training podcast features a series of episodes, including The Cadet Diaries, which showcase the diverse pathways and inspiring journeys within the maritime sector, featuring real-life stories which provide invaluable insights and motivation for the next generation of seafarers and those already working in the industry.
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Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, explained how the initiative started: “Our mission at BMTA is to help more people access maritime training and the huge career opportunities there are in the global maritime industry. There’s no better way to do thisthen to hear from cadets and industry professionals who can truly share their experiences, expectations and their enthusiasm about a career at sea and ashore.”
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The podcast series shines a spotlight on the challenges and triumphs experienced by experienced seafarers, maritime professionals as well as cadets and current apprentices across a wide range of disciplines. It examines different routes into the industry, offers guidance on managing a work life balance and tips for wellbeing at sea and ashore. The series shares personal insights, practical advice, and reflections through in-depth discussions with guests from leading organisations such as Just Be Maritime, Carnival UK, Fred Olsen, Watermark, Marella Cruises and Maritime London.
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Owen continues: “The maritime sector is one of the UK’s success stories, and to continue on this course, the industry must continually attract talented and dedicated professionals to meet its growing needs. I hope our new podcast series will encourage people to consider a maritime career and discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities available across this dynamic industry.”
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The BMTA Maritime Careers and Training Podcast series is available at:
British Maritime Training & Assessment Recognised for Driving Maritime Talent Across the South
24th October 2025
British Maritime Training & Assessment (BMTA) has become the first organisation outside of Hampshire to win a prestigious Maritime Solent Award.​The Poole-based training provider earned the Future Skills – Small Business accolade for its outstanding contribution to developing the maritime sector’s workforce and supporting long-term regional growth. It was also a finalist in the Start-Up of the Year category.
Owen Davies, Founder and Partner at BMTA, was delighted with the announcement: “We’ve come so far in such a short space of time, and we are truly honoured to be recognised in this way by the maritime industry.
​“Our vision is to devise and deliver independent, relevant and affordable training and assessment for the maritime sector to help organisations be the best they possibly can.It is extremely rewarding to help skilled and talented people make the most of the rewarding career opportunities the sector has to offer.”​
British Maritime Training & Assessment is an independent specialist assessor and trainer in the maritime sector, working with industry partners to deliver a range of marine electrical and engineering courses, bespoke company courses and Engineering and Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Cadet services. Earlier this month, it launched its third cohort of Government funded Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamps to deliver specialised marine electrical engineering expertise through an intensive 10-week programme. The course is at capacity, and registrations are now open for the next cohort starting in January 2026.​
The winners of the Maritime Solent Awards were announced on 23 October. Stuart Baker, Chief Executive of Maritime Solent, said: “A heartfelt congratulations to our winners of the Maritime Solent Awards 2025. The Awards evening was the ultimate showcase of maritime skill, talent, leadership and innovation and it was an honour to host a prestigious platform enabling maritime businesses to be celebrated for their successes over the last year.”
Specialist Bootcamp Aims to Bridge Maritime Skills Gap in the South
20 October 2025
Twelve aspiring marine electricians have officially launched their journey into an exciting maritime career, as they begin the country's only dedicated Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp - a bespoke 10-week programme designed to tackle the South’s skills gaps in the maritime sector.
While the UK Government funds a wide range of Skills Bootcamps to meet local industry demands, this particular course stands alone in its focus: delivering the specialised electrical engineering expertise required for maritime careers.
Delivered by British Maritime Training & Assessment (BMTA) and Fareport Training, the 10-week course is designed to equip those with an electrical or mechanical background with the skills to enable them to transition into the maritime sector and a wealth of new career opportunities. Modules include nautical terminology, marine electronics and - Official - navigation equipment and, for those taking part who are self-employed, the course guarantees support in producing an effective business plan.
Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, highlights the bootcamp’s appeal: “We’re seeing interest from both newcomers to the sector and those already working in the industry who want to progress. Maritime businesses are using this as a strategic tool to upskill their teams, future-proof their operations, and ensure they’re equipped for the evolving demands of the industry.”
One graduate of BMTA's Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp who went on to secure a permanent role at Berthon in Lymington, said of the course: "This has been an incredible opportunity to upskill and gain a fantastic insight into the marine industry. The programme is well organised and structured, with regular communication to ensure participants aren’t left behind. The teaching of subject matter is informative and interesting, with the practical days offering the chance to put theory into practise in the marine environment. All the staff have gone above and beyond to tailor the programme to suit individual needs. Having successfully completed the course I now have a realistic prospect of gaining employment."
Established in 2023, British Maritime Training & Assessment (BMTA) is an independent specialist assessor and trainer in the maritime sector. Owen Davies, Partner at BMTA, explains the organisation’s mission: “One of our main motivations is to help more people access maritime training and the huge opportunities there are in the industry. This bootcamp is a great example of how we can open up these opportunities to more people, whatever their background.”
British Maritime Training & Assessment is now taking registrations for the next Marine Electrician Skills Bootcamp starting in January.