CalMac recruits record number of female deck and engine apprentices
Four of the ferry operator’s intake of 16 this year are women
Female apprentices at CalMac have told The Scotsman of their enthusiasm for the role after the ferry operator recruited a record number of women to train in deck and engine roles.
The Scottish Government-owned company which is Britain’s largest ferry firm also has more than eight times as many women in its workforce than the global average.
It commands significant loyalty among its former apprentices, with more than four in five of those taken on since 2013 still working there, while 10 per cent of its workforce started there as apprentices.
The company has now opened applications for this autumn’s intake , having been named by the Merchant Navy Training Board as one of the top five UK companies for marine apprentice schemes.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: “Equality and diversity are very important at CalMac, and we are dedicated to welcoming people from all backgrounds into every sector of the company.
“For example, while the worldwide maritime sector has only 1.2 per cent of women working in it, the figure at CalMac is more than 10 per cent and we are committed to doing as much as we can to increase this.”
Xanthe Thomson and Eilidh MacFadyen are among 16 apprentices being trained by CalMac this year at City of Glasgow College and aboard ferries.
It involves two periods at the college, which has 13 shipping simulators that replicate the bridge of ferries, along with two stretches at sea.
Ms Thomson, 18, from Port Glasgow, who is an engine rating apprentice, said: “It’s a lot of hands-on work, such as with lathes, learning how engines works and a series of courses such as fire fighting.
“It’s been challenging, fun and probably one of the best things I have ever done.
“I grew up around cars and motorbikes and have always been good at working with my hands.
“I want to work my way up the ranks and hopefully become a chief engineer - that’s the top goal for my future.
“It would be amazing to see more young females getting into engineering apprenticeships and show their confidence and that they are not worried about what other people think.
“I want to see more females in this industry.”
Ms MacFadyen, 20, from Oban, who is a deck rating apprentice, said: “I had always wanted to work at sea and then the CalMac opportunity came up.
“My family work at sea with council ferries - dad, grandpa, cousins - so it’s something I always knew I would enjoy.
“It’s less nerve-wracking than I thought it would be.”
Both women have spent part of their training aboard CalMac’s largest ferry, Loch Seaforth, which operates between Ullapool and Stornoway in Lewis.
Diane Burke, CalMac’s chief operating officer, said: “Our popular modern apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in a maritime career, whether they are just starting out in the world of work or would like a career change.
“The scheme also demonstrates our commitment to supporting local economies and helping the communities we serve to thrive.”
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