The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is delighted to celebrate the achievements of apprentice able seafarers Jake and Reuben, who have successfully qualified for their Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) certificates following their studies at Fleetwood Nautical Campus.
Jake and Reuben joined the Company's first Apprentice Able Seafarer programme, launched in February 2024 as part of the Steam Packet's commitment to developing the next generation of maritime professionals and creating rewarding career opportunities within the Island's shipping industry.
Having completed their college training and achieved their EDH qualification, both apprentices are now continuing to gain valuable sea time onboard the Company's vessels as they work towards obtaining their full Able Seafarer (AB) certification.
Their success marks an important milestone for the apprenticeship programme, which has gone from strength to strength since its launch. The Company currently has a further two Apprentice Able Seafarers onboard, who are progressing through their own training and development pathway.
Ethel Docherty, Head of Human Resources, said:
"I am delighted that Jake and Reuben's hard work and dedication have paid off, resulting in them achieving their Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) qualification. This is a significant milestone in their maritime careers, and they are now putting their training into practice while serving onboard Manxman as EDHs and continuing to build the sea time required for their Able Seafarer certification.
It is particularly pleasing to see how our Apprentice Able Seafarer programme has grown since it was first introduced in 2024. We currently have two more apprentices progressing through the scheme and are looking forward to welcoming another two apprentices as part of our 2027 intake. Investing in local talent and creating clear career pathways is essential to securing the future of our workforce, and we are proud to support the next generation of seafarers."