London MOU Signing with the Merchant Navy Training Board

Sea Heritage Foundation and Merchant Navy Training Board Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Share Best Practices in Maritime Education and Apprenticeships

London, October 2024 – The Sea Heritage Foundation (SHF) and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore best practices in maritime apprenticeship training programs. The MOU agreement was formalised at an Innovation Workshop at the Victory Services Club in London.

Woodside Energy sponsored Indigenous Master Mariner Captain Ryan Cobb, SHF Indigenous Advisor, who was in attendance to provide his unique expertise as Australia's only Indigenous Master Mariner.  The MOU establishes a framework for SHF and MNTB to collaborate in sharing insights and lessons learned from the UK's well-established maritime education and apprenticeship system. The initiative seeks to provide Australia with access to the skills, experience, and industry expertise developed in the UK, supporting Australia's exploration of similar pathways for the maritime industry. This partnership focuses on strengthening Australia's maritime capabilities for Indigenous Australians, maritime workforce shortages, and the new offshore wind maritime workforce, contributing to Australia's transition to a cleaner energy future.

Dr CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg, Chairman & Co-Director of the SHF, emphasised the importance of learning from international partners while maintaining Australia's unique context. "Our collaboration with the MNTB will enable Australia to investigate proven models and adapt them in ways that best serve our workforce and Indigenous learning styles”. “This MOU ensures that we benefit from the expertise of the UK, with the implementation of this new training initiative driven by Australian industry for industry."

The workshop, which focused on fostering innovation through collaboration, brought together distinguished attendees, including Deputy Lord Lt, Paul Kennerly RN Retd - SHF Board Advisor, New Zealand High Commissioner to London, H.E. Hon Phil Goff – Represented by Commander Wayne Andrew RNZN, Naval Adviser, NZ Defence Staff London, Kathryn Neilson – UK Maritime Skills Commissioner & Director Merchant Navy Training Board, Neil Atkinson - Head of Fleetwood Nautical Campus (UK maritime apprenticeship program provider), Captain Hope, Trinity House, Director of Maritime Training, Dr. CJ Manjarres-Wahlberg – Chairman & Director SHF, Alastair Chapman - Ambassador Wellington Trust & SHF Board Advisor, Captain Ryan Cobb Master Mariner - SHF Indigenous advisor, Captain Melwyn Norohna, Shipping Australia Limited - CEO & SHF Advisor, General Manager David Astbury - SERCO Defence Maritime Services – Represented by Salli Shapcott SERCO Engineering and Asset Management Director SERCO Defence UK, Charles Rattray - CEO Southerly Ten (Australia's first offshore wind project) and Alana Pendrick – SHF Partnerships Manager, Tim Doggett - Chemical Business Association and Rob Melia - London Nautical School.

Image: Innovation meeting attendees.

While this MOU does not dictate any specific direction for Australia's maritime training programs, it provides valuable insights to consider as we navigate our future course forward. Australia's industry partners will remain at the forefront of decision-making, with the opportunity to draw upon best practices from the UK.

Southerly Ten has stated, "We're excited about the opportunity to be an industry partner and to create maritime pathways for future First Nations sailors."

The partnership also aims to explore opportunities for further collaboration between Australian and UK maritime industries, with a particular focus on developing Indigenous employment and education pathways.

The SHF is committed to ensuring that these efforts help close the gap in education and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians by providing access to high-quality, skills-based training designed by industry for industry.