City College Plymouth

City College Plymouth is located in a city where maritime skills play a significant role, contributing to 10,564 jobs in the area. Over the past three years, there has been a 4.1% increase in the number of people employed in the sector, compared to the national average of 1.9%. The College has established itself as a leading provider of maritime skills through world-class facilities, industry-led skills provision, innovative partnerships, and a reputation for excellence and innovation.

In November 2021, the College opened the Centre of Higher Technical Innovation and Maritime Skills. This state-of-the-art facility, located in Plymouth’s marine enterprise zone, offers cutting-edge machinery. This machinery includes a unique 5-axis CNC router designed for various large metalloid moulds making, 3D surface carving, and shape cutting. It also features a high-spec CNC milling machine, resin-based 3D printers, and an innovative wave flume, facilitating education in autonomous vehicles and marine technology.

The College has collaborated closely with large employers and SMEs to develop programmes in marine autonomous vehicles. Students are equipped with a wide range of skills, from design to prototyping, meeting the demands of this rapidly evolving field. This approach has led to strong partnerships with local companies like Plymouth Marine Laboratories, Babcock International, and MSubs.

The College restructured its delivery for Babcock International, resulting in increased apprenticeship numbers of over 32% since 2019. The College offers tailored learning around maritime defence vessels, aligning with workplace shift patterns and providing onsite support.

To address the skills shortage for skilled carpenters in the luxury yacht industry, the College developed tailored training programs that match the shift patterns of Princess Yachts’ employees. An impressive 86% of participants from the programme are now working for Princess Yachts.

The College’s commitment to developing skills for the industry earned them the Maritime UK Future Skills award.