Minister Santos Meets Balaena to Explore Maritime Apprenticeships

The Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, the Hon. Christian Santos GMD MP, has met representatives of Balaena, the owner of Gibdock, to discuss new apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Gibraltar’s maritime sector.

The meeting follows previous discussions between HM Government of Gibraltar and Balaena, including a visit by the Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon. Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, to the company’s shipyard in Birkenhead, formerly Cammell Laird.

Discussions Santos centred on the development of a four-year apprenticeship programme, which would combine practical experience within the maritime industry with a period of study and specialist training in Birkenhead.

The initiative would give young people in Gibraltar the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, develop specialist technical skills and build careers in the maritime industry.

Minister Santos will visit Balaena’s Birkenhead facilities in the coming months to learn more about the training on offer and how the apprenticeship could be shaped to meet Gibraltar’s needs.

Minister Santos said:

“We are committed to expanding apprenticeship opportunities and ensuring that young people in Gibraltar have access to different pathways into skilled employment. Working directly with industry allows us to develop programmes that respond to employers’ needs whilst providing participants with valuable training and practical experience. I welcome the discussions with Balaena and look forward to visiting their facilities in Birkenhead to explore the opportunities available and how we can take this initiative forward.”

The Ministry of Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism will continue working with Balaena on the proposals, and further details will be announced as discussions progress.