2. Welcome and Introduction The Steering Group: Lewis Brown John Bigos Sean Collins Chris Livett Colin Middlemiss Julian Parkes David Snelson

3. A reminder of the problem Boatmaster’s Licence (BML) – national & EU scheme 2007 Professional training not mandatory Now approved as an official apprenticeship Thames companies run their own in house training – expensive; variable standards Many small companies – no training capability Professional demands growing

4. Organisation structure Thames Training Alliance The steering committee The Training provider Colleges River Companies

5. The Thames Training Alliance What are we trying to do? Organise structured training – courses and qualifying service time Utilise government BML apprenticeship funding Arrange rotation of trainees in placements around river craft This will.. Reduce current training costs Increase professional and safety standards

6. What have we been doing? Formed a Company limited by guarantee Set up website: thames-training-alliance.org Lobbied Ministers, GLA, PLA and others Selected 4 potential organisations to run the training Invitation to Tender ready to go Raised some money – about 50k

7. Timeline to Better Training We are here

8. More than Boatmaster’s quals? Mate and Competent Crew training RYA Courses – ‘under 12s’ Towing & pushing endorsement Thames Local Knowledge endorsement Other endorsements – eg. Large Passenger vessel Lighterage and line handling Risk Assessments; safe systems of work etc

9. Longer term developments A way of achieving major increase in river skills to meet needs of infrastructure projects. e.g. Tideway Tunnel A ‘portal’ for young people and new entrants looking for careers afloat A labour exchange for seasonal labour? A provider of other courses relevant to Thames companies

10. Navigation skills

11. ……and safety skills….

12. Funding? Could cost 75k – 100k per year to run? 25k Seedcorn funding raised from operators and others Port of London Authority (PLA) have pledged 25k Shipowners and Tysers contribution Employer Ownership of Skills bid unsuccessful Possible grants from (sea) training charities Long term training levy on PLA licences or dues? Training fees from training members?

13. Potential river operators contribution 6 % of operators have contributed 20k The river could do much better!

14. What do (all) we want?

15. Copies of the slides will be on our website later this week

16. ‘ To develop a continual flow of people through structured training to fulfil rewarding career opportunities on the River Thames. Working collectively with Operators, Regulators and associated industry bodies to meet the future demands and skill sets needed to support the industry, all underpinned by a firm commitment to the highest levels of safety and professional standards ’. Thames Training Alliance Mission