Heritage skills are critical to the mission of the enterprise and Blyth’s Ship Building Heritage project helped create vital training opportunities for local young people.

Once a major shipbuilding area and port, Blyth now experiences high levels of unemployment. Targeting 16-30-year-olds not in employment, education or training, the project offered the opportunity to achieve an entry-level vocational qualification in Engineering Operations.

Each trainee got hands-on experience working with historic vessels and the 8-week course opened doors for them: 40% went on to take further education courses and 30% to find jobs.

Ensuring a legacy for the project, the newly developed qualification has filled an important gap in the progression route for those interested in traditional boatbuilding. Blyth volunteers have benefited from it too.

The project has helped breathe new life into the once-abandoned quayside. Alongside the boatyard, there’s now a visitor centre, regular open days and a growing archive.

The Blyth Tall Ship Regatta, first held with National Lottery support, is now an annual spectacle, connecting the community to its maritime heritage and future.

Making a difference

The Blyth’s Ship Building Heritage project achieved our skills outcome and ensured a wider range of people were engaged with heritage:

• 72 unemployed young people took part in the 8-week training course with most achieving the Level 1 NVQ in Engineering Operations, exceeding the initial project target of 60 participants.
• Of those who completed the traineeship, 40% have gone on to take further education courses and 30% to find work. Those who progressed to a Level 2 course had a 100% success rate in moving into employment.
• Creating a bespoke Level 1 course that brought together modern engineering and traditional boatbuilding skills has provided a lasting legacy for Blyth Tall Ship filled an important gap in the progression route for those interested in traditional boatbuilding. Less experienced engineering volunteers complete the course as well as trainees.
• Providing training for volunteers has been a key part of building volunteer confidence and commitment. Active volunteer numbers have doubled, as has the amount of time given per month.

Lessons learned

Creating and maintaining partnerships with local agencies such as Barnardo’s, Silx Youth Project, Job Centre Plus, Northumberland Adult Learning Service and Tomorrow People was key to attracting the project’s target group. Ongoing personal contact was required to ensure the partnership continued to support the project’s aims to the end.

Ensuring that the 8-week, two days a week Level 1 course did not impact on benefit payments contributed to the high take-up from local young people.

Working alongside volunteers with a lifetime of experience in the offshore and engineering industry provided a solid sounding board to help develop the project. From an older generation, they provided positive role models for the young trainees.

Developing the skills of inexperienced learners in the use of sharp tools and power tools requires a high level of supervision. The project used a ratio of three supervisors to eight learners.