16 February 2005

NEW MARINE ENGINEERING NVQ

INDUSTRY LEADERS TAKE STEPS TO IMPROVE COMPETENCIES AND ADDRESS SKILLS SHORTAGES

DML Group and other leading marine engineering organisations have established a new National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) for marine engineering, which was recently approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA - the NVQ regulating body) and will come into effect this year.

The new qualification is the result of a joint campaign by DML with FSL, BAE Systems and other industry members working with SEMTA (the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies), to establish a set of NVQ competencies specifically to meet the marine engineering industry's needs, designed to address any perceived skills shortages now or in the future.

"NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Marine Engineering will be available to new and existing staff from September, in time for this year's intake of apprentices to DML who will start this autumn," DML company trademaster David Mutch commented. "Similar qualifications are available in aerospace and automotive engineering, for example, and we're keen to establish the equivalent recognition for marine engineering. NVQ Levels 2 and 3 are the first stage, and we'd like to take this on to a possible Level 4 and potentially a diploma in the future."

DML is now recruiting its annual intake of some 40-50 apprentices for this year under its Apprentice Scheme, designed to ensure that it maintains the right skills and expertise to meet its demanding and evolving business needs. The company also recruits some 30 graduates a year under its graduate training scheme, accredited by all the major engineering institutes.

The DML marine engineering apprentice programme starts with a City & Guilds Technical Certificate 2 and NVQ 2 Performing Engineering Operations, and moves on to develop craft training through working at DML, into a range of placements within the company to consolidate craft and engineering competencies, alongside personal development. It runs over a three or four year period, with the advanced programme requiring study for an NVQ 3 engineering qualification. The programme will now require the new Marine Engineering NVQ Levels 2 and 3 to be achieved, ensuring that the specific competencies demanded in the marine engineering business are attained.

DML owns and operates Devonport Royal Dockyard, Western Europe's largest marine engineering complex, and is a major supplier to the Royal Navy, providing comprehensive through-life support for surface ships, submarines and associated equipments, as well as designing, building and refitting superyachts and specialist craft such as RNLI lifeboats.

Further information is available on www.devonport.co.uk