A network of Marine Skills Centres of excellence in Poole, Plymouth and Falmouth will help to provide a range of 'demand-led' training for prime and supply chain companies in this South West England priority sector. 
 
The Regional Economic Strategy picks out the marine sector as one of the most important sectors for the future of the region's economy, but the project was prompted by the research findings into the skills needs of the sector commissioned by the South West RDA - 'Skills Needs of the Marine & Maritime Sector in the South West of England' July 2003. The first of three training centres in Poole was officially opened by South West RDA Chairman, Juliet Williams, in March 2005 and is now fully functioning.

Poole Marine Skills Centre

The Poole Marine Skills Centre was established by the South West RDA in conjunction with Marine South West, ITE Training and Sunseeker International. The Centre offers a wide range of training for marine business, from apprenticeships to management and leadership, all delivered in high quality workshops, classrooms and meeting space.  
 
During the first 6 months of 2005/6, the Marine Skills Centre has developed the dialogue with the marine sector, with 120+ apprentices under training and more than 1000 adults undertaking a variety of short courses. In recognition of the Centre's facilities and provision, it officially received the Marine Engineering - Centre of Vocational Excellence award in August, giving access to additional funds of £200k.

Plymouth Marine Skills Centre

The Skills Centre for Plymouth will have two sites, in order to be able to provide a specialist composites facility in addition to a principle centre at Picquet Barracks in Devonport. The local partnership involves Marine SW, Plymouth City Council, DML, Princess Yachts, Maritime Plymouth (local business network) and Plymouth FE College. 
 
The Composite Manufacturing Facility will be located at Princess Yachts International Training Centre at their Coypool site. The terms of the lease with Plymouth City Council for the main site have now been agreed and the implementation plan will be finalised for submission in early 2006.

Falmouth Marine Skills Centre

The South West RDA has commenced refurbishment of the grade two listed Bridon Ropes building in Falmouth to convert it into approximately 20,000sq ft (1,858m²) of office accommodation which will be targeted at the marine sector. The RDA has also been working with Marine South West who will take a lease of the ground and first floors in order that they can establish the Cornwall Marine Skills Centre. Building works are on track to provide classrooms, meeting space and specialist painting training facilities for the first intake of students to start in January 2006.