HELPING MARINE BUSINESSES IN CORNWALL TO SAIL AHEAD

More than 100 employees of companies in Cornwall’s marine sector have already benefited from new training as part of an Objective One project to make the industry more competitive.

The Cornish Marine Training project has been set up by the University of Plymouth to help firms in the sector upgrade the vocational and managerial skills of their employees.

One of the 22 firms to have already benefited from the scheme is Bude-based Gecko Headgear, which was set up in 1993 and specialises in hand-made helmets designed for niche sport markets and marine safety organisations.

Managing director Jeff Sacree attended a tailor-made course at the University of Plymouth’s advanced composites manufacturing centre that was designed to give his business specific help in staying ahead in technology and manufacturing techniques.

Jeff said: “The benefits from this training are significant and will enable us to grow the business. The training grant was instrumental in our attending this excellent course and I urge other small businesses to take advantage of the offer.”

Gecko Headgear was also one of 37 businesses to benefit from an in-depth training needs analysis – carried out for free – by an adviser provided through the Cornish Marine Training project.

The project – which runs until September 2003 – has been developed as part of the work of Marine South West, an initiative set up to boost the sector across the wider south west region.

Adam Corney from Marine South West explained that the Cornish project will get a grant of over £66,000 through Objective One from the European Social Fund. Another £81,000 in funding for the project will come from a mixture of private sector contributions and money from organisations involved in Marine South West, such as the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the University of Plymouth.

He said: “The project builds on a considerable amount of activity already happening in the Cornish marine sector. Marine South West was set up to increase the competitiveness of the marine sector by sharing best practice and improving skills through training. That was followed by the setting up of a similar organisation, the Cornwall Marine Network, which was endorsed by 40 companies from across Cornwall and the Scillies at a meeting in Falmouth earlier this year.

“The aim of the network is to improve the prosperity of Cornish marine businesses by working together, be they small boat building and chandlery outfits or the area’s large marina and dock operators. Benefits to members include free website listing, joint marketing initiatives, access to external funding and collective purchasing opportunities.”

He added: “Now – with the help of Objective One funding – the Cornish Marine Training project is also allowing us to develop training for the industry at a time that suits members and at a price they can afford.”

For further information on the help available to businesses through the Cornish Marine Training project, contact Marine South West on 01752 233554.