Email News February 2013
Welcome to the February 2013 email newsletter from Marine South East
If you would like to submit an article for consideration please email the text and a suitable image or logo to sarah@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2013-01-22 10:06:56
UK marine industry global competiveness report launched
A UK government and marine industry-led plan to help companies increase exports to countries including China, Brazil and South Korea, and to key sectors is part of a strategy to help marine businesses grow and be more competitive.
The UK Marine Export Strategy identifies some of the most promising sectors for British companies to target, including offshore oil & gas, naval defence and leisure boats & equipment.
Featuring eight recommendations for growth, the strategy also includes detailed analyses of emerging and mature economies across the world that present the best opportunities for exports.
Recommendations include:
* Developing a campaign approach to identify and pursue major marine business opportunities
* Enhancing the relationship management of existing key UK-based trade and investment customers as well as targeting overseas companies and potential inward investors
* Encouraging inward investment into targeted segments of the UK marine and offshore wind sectors which will build the capability of the UK and in turn increase its exportability
* Marketing UK marine excellence in high-growth markets like China, where luxury marine can form part of the Government's GREAT campaign
The strategy is being led by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), in close collaboration with industry and stakeholder bodies, and lays the foundation for a long-term strategic vision for the future of the British marine industries.
Business Minister Michael Fallon is Co-Chair of the Marine Industries Leadership Council - the advisory group comprising Government and industry which commissioned the strategy.
For more information please visit:
http://www.ukmarinealliance.com/news
Posted 2013-01-29 13:10:38
Competition Announced for ‘Vessel Efficiency: Piloting Marine and Maritime Innovation’
Up to £8 million is to be invested by Government to support and stimulate new research and development aimed at making marine vessels more efficient.
The investment will be made by the UK's innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, the MOD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Scottish Enterprise through a competition for funding for fast-track and collaborative research and development projects.
Through the 'Vessel Efficiency: Piloting Marine and Maritime Innovation' competition for funding, which opened in January 2013, the Technology Strategy Board and its partners are seeking proposals from businesses, whether currently inside or outside the industry, to develop solutions covering a wide range of technology areas which have the potential to improve vessel efficiency in existing and future ships, boats, submarines, and their associated equipment and systems.
This competition will fund projects within low carbon/green shipping and propulsion and marine ICT that can contribute to more efficiently designed vessels across all marine and maritime industries - commercial, defence and leisure. Proposals should show that efficiency gains of a minimum of 5% for current vessels could be achieved, with targets of up to 25% on future designs.
There will be two streams to the competition. Around 10% of the funding will be available for 'fast-track' projects, each lasting between 6 and 12 months. These must be collaborative and led by a business, and include a small or micro business. The second stream of funding will be for larger collaborative R&D projects, also business-led, which are expected to last between 12 and 36 months.
This is a fast track and two-stage CR&D competition that opened on 14 January 2013. The deadline for applicants to register for both types of project is noon on 20 February 2013 and the deadline for expressions of interest is at noon on 27 February 2013.
For more information please visit:
http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/vessel-efficiency-piloting-uk-marine-and-maritime-.ashx
Posted 2013-01-22 10:10:57
Small and Micro Businesses share £1.38m Manufacturing Innovation Funding
Nearly 60 small and micro businesses are to share grant funding totalling £1.38 million from the Technology Strategy Board to carry out feasibility studies that may lead to innovations in a range of manufacturing competences.
The funding awards follow the conclusion of the 'Innovation in Manufacturing Competences' competition for feasibility funding, which sought proposals for short-term feasibility studies across the whole manufacturing lifecycle, from design and engineering through to process development, manufacture, service delivery and re-manufacture/re-use, including innovation in supply/distribution chains, risk management and business models.
The grant funding awards average £24,000 per company.
For more infomation on funding from the Technology Strategy Board please go to:
http://www.innovateuk.org/
Posted 2013-01-29 11:35:40
Shipwrights Ark Appeal Apprenticeship scheme
Berthon Boat Company has successfully placed 6 apprentices (in addition to the 10 taken on last September) in full time training and employment with funding contribution to first year wages provided by The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights Ark Appeal Apprenticeship scheme.
Berthon administer the Shipwrights' scheme free of charge and offer help advice and guidance to the new employers on the scheme. Berthon are keen to point out these additional placements with competitors would not be possible without the valuable funding from the City Livery Charity. The apprentices are all on 4 year courses and day release academic training is provided through Brockenhurst College and City College, Southampton.
Berthon Boat Co Ltd, based in Lymington, Hampshire, is also working closely with the British Marine Federation to encourage other UK regional colleges to work with local marine businesses to look for SMEs in their area that are prepared to train apprentices as a first step to either replace an aging workforce and/or to complement skills in their search for growth.
Brian May, MD of Berthon, commented: "Brockenhurst College, in the heart of the New Forest, is one example that has 30 highly motivated and very able students currently in full time marine skills training in the hope of placing them in a full apprenticeship with an SME during or at the end of their first year's training in late June 2013 when they will have achieved Level 2 HND."
For more information about the Shipwrights Ark Appeal Apprenticeship scheme administered through Berthon please contact Trica Kelly, tricia.kelly@berthon.co.uk
Posted 2013-01-29 10:15:33
SCA Group seeks business partners for on and offshore wind farm training opportunities
The SCA Group are in the process of pulling together suitable employers in the south who can complete the ideal team to bid for Government funding with focus on training for work in the ever-expanding renewable energy industries.
The SCA Group are multi-disciplinary industrial support specialists from Dorset.
The SCA Group have run bid team workshops and momentum is gathering in terms of interested parties, but they still need to source other employers in the south who can help complete the picture.
If you are interested in joining the SCA Group in this venture, email Claudine at renewables@sca-group.com outlining your company's current market focus, where you think there are skills gaps or where you can help with the bid.
Posted 2013-01-29 10:21:56
500K lottery fund will allow historic ship to sail again - with the help of Highbury apprentices
Highbury College apprentices are set to breathe new life into the sails of a historic yacht, thanks to a half million pound Heritage Lottery Fund investment.
The grant will enable Portsmouth charity The Boleh Trust to employ four apprentices to help restore Boleh - a 40ft wooden junk yacht with a unique and inspiring past.
Once restored, Boleh - whose name means 'Can Do' in Malay - will be used to help those facing challenges in their lives by giving them the chance to experience sailing this unique vessel and so build confidence, leadership and team working skills.
The funding also provides for significant community involvement in this exciting heritage project. Boleh's story and restoration will be harnessed to inspire pupils from the Portsmouth-based Charter Academy and introduce them to experiences and adventures that they would not normally encounter in their lives.
For more information please visit http://www.highbury.ac.uk
