A ceremony has taken place to mark the graduation of eight young people from P&O Ferries’ apprenticeship scheme.

It saw friends, families and colleagues watch the graduates from the 2017 intake receive their SQA Level 2 Diplomas in Maritime Studies, certified by the Merchant Navy Training Board.

Each one is now employed as either a deck or engine room rating and is continuing to work towards acquiring further qualifications via the ferry operator.

The two-year course saw the apprentices split their time at sea and in the classroom.

The group were given extensive training On board the Dover-Calais vessels, supervised by bosuns and engine room petty officers.

They also spent three one-month periods attending North Kent College before completing final exams.

Engine apprentice Connan Miles, said: “From starting with no engineering or seafaring experience, I have now seen things I would never have if it were not for P&O Ferries.

"This includes two refits in Dunkirk and Hamburg.

"Being a seafarer is not like having a job, it is a lifestyle. I would recommend the apprenticeship.”

The rest of the group includes James Rigby, Ben Burchell, Christian Wadley, George Holmes, Marnie Ross and Stacey Gregory.

The graduation ceremony took place at P&O Ferries' main headquarters, Channel House, Channel View Road, Dover.

Mike Willis, P&O learning and development advisor added: “The apprentices have done an amazing job.

"To see their journey, how they have grown, what they have achieved and to now be qualified as seafarers is brilliant."

Mr Willis himself has been awarded for his efforts with the the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service for exemplary service and devotion to duty.

Mark Bobby, chairman of MNTB, said of the graduates: “This is a door opening to the rest of the journey. Where they go now is up to them, there is a set career path and with the help of the MNTB they can go as high as they want.

"This P&O Ferries programme is one which brings out the best in people, having been made possible by both P&O and the staff of North Kent College."

The company launched its apprenticeship scheme in 2014 and has since welcomed four successful cohorts to its Dover to Calais route.

Applications for the next apprenticeships scheme open next summer - to register for job alerts visit poferries.com/careers.

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