Ferguson Marine has unveiled its most significant apprenticeship hiring initiative in five years, intending to welcome 24 new trainees as the Clyde shipyard anticipates a prospective stream of government-backed maritime deals.
The Port Glasgow facility confirmed that these apprentices will be engaged in two stages: ten roles will commence in August 2026, with an additional 14 launching in January 2027. This announcement follows closely after the Scottish Government proposed directly granting Ferguson Marine contracts for four new ships, encompassing two ferries for the CalMac fleet and two specialized craft for Marine Scotland.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes initiated the latest cycle of applications during her visit to the yard, characterizing the enlargement of the program as a crucial measure in safeguarding the longevity of shipbuilding on the Clyde. “Ferguson Marine’s disclosure of new apprenticeships provides a considerable advantage to the facility and the nearby populace, offering young individuals opportunities to master highly sought-after skills while forging their careers close to home,” Forbes remarked.
She directly connected this hiring effort to the anticipated vessel agreements revealed the week prior. “My announcement last week regarding the proposal to award four new ships to the yard ensures a consistent flow of work, enhanced job security, and preserves Scotland’s enduring legacy of shipbuilding, all while focusing on the distant prospects.”
The apprenticeships will encompass a variety of shipyard professions, including welding, fabrication, electrical tasks, engineering, and operations. This expansion in recruitment is further bolstered by a £14.2 million Scottish Government investment, designed to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure and boost output.
Chief Executive Graeme Thomson stated that the program plays a pivotal function in maintaining maritime craft expertise. “Our apprentices constitute the essential core of this shipyard. I commenced as an electrical apprentice, and we now possess the assurance in our future projects to offer other young people the same prospect I had at the start of my professional journey.”
He added that this hiring cycle would aid the yard’s broader modernization initiatives. “This current intake will be crucial for our upgrading and restructuring strategies, guaranteeing that the Clydebuilt hallmark of excellence remains central to everything we undertake.”
Since the yard became state-owned in 2019, Ferguson Marine has engaged and instructed 86 apprentices. The program is managed by apprentice coordinator Frances Rice, who noted that many joining the yard come from families with deep connections to Clyde shipbuilding. “Many of our apprentices possess a profound ancestral background in shipbuilding, and it is a privilege to foster this subsequent cohort as they uphold the esteemed heritage of constructing premier ships on the Clyde.”
Candidacies for the initial ten trainee positions are currently accepting submissions via the Ferguson Marine website, with a subsequent cohort for January 2027 projected to become available later this year.