19th May 2025
A vocational training programme designed to help people in Hull launch careers at sea is celebrating the end of a highly successful five-year programme, with over 130 participants trained and 80 per cent gaining employment within 30 days of completion.
The Maritime Futures course, commissioned by the Hull Maritime project, has been delivered by East Coast Maritime Training, a not-for-profit rooted in Hull’s rich fishing heritage. Funded initially by the Trinity House Maritime Fund and supported by Hull City Council’s Learning and Skills Multiply Programme, the course has helped 136 individuals gain the skills and confidence to enter maritime careers.
Remarkably, 86 per cent of trainees came from areas among the most deprived nationally, underlining the programme’s success in offering meaningful opportunities to those who might not otherwise pursue such training.
Over the course of five years, 14 separate cohorts have completed the training, gaining critical skills from navigation and safety at sea to numeracy tasks like calculating shares of a catch - skills directly aligned with the Multiply Programme’s focus on adult numeracy and work-readiness.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: "The success of the Maritime Futures course is a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in people.
“This programme has not only equipped individuals with the practical and numeracy skills needed to thrive at sea, but it has also opened doors for those who might never have considered a maritime career.
“We’re proud that Hull is leading the way in creating a lasting legacy - one where participants don’t just find jobs but build long and successful careers in an industry so vital to our city’s heritage and future."
Hull Training secured funding through the Government’s Skills for Life initiative. The Multiply funding is designed to improve adult numeracy and skills at work. The Maritime Futures course, with its emphasis on maths-based skills such as calculating shares of the catch and navigation, is a perfect match for this support.
The success of the programme includes graduates, Hannah Jenkinson and Megan Dosdale, who made history as the first female crewmembers to serve on board the Kirkella, a modern fishing vessel based out of Hull. Just three weeks into their maiden voyage, their performance has been praised by Captain Sigurbjörn Sigurdsson, who said:
“The new recruits are adjusting well to life at sea, have developed a good rapport with their crewmates, and are performing strongly in their roles. The Maritime Futures Programme has been key in attracting talented and well-prepared individuals.”
The Maritime Futures course stands out not only as an accredited programme but also for its unique approach - offering trainees first-hand insight from former trawlermen, giving them a real understanding of life at sea.
As part of the broader Hull Maritime project, which aims to celebrate and revive Hull’s maritime legacy - from fishing and whaling to merchant shipping and dock work - the programme represents a vital investment in people, alongside major capital works and initiatives in training, volunteering, and apprenticeships.
Thanks to funding from the Trinity House Maritime Fund and Hull Training and Adult Education, the programme received a year-long extension, ensuring even more local people have access to maritime careers and skills development.
The Maritime Futures programme is part of the Hull Maritime project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. It encompasses the redevelopment of six historic sites and two ships in Hull city centre.
