THE PRINCESS ROYAL VISITS CITY OF GLASGOW COLLEGE FOR UK SHIPBUILDING SKILLS UPDATE

The Princess Royal, known for her unwavering commitment to promoting the maritime industry, recently visited City of Glasgow College’s Riverside Campus. The working visit, which took place on 14 November, provided an opportunity for The Princess Royal to gain first-hand insight into the College's globally renowned maritime training programs and its pivotal role in the recently launched UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce report.

The visit of Her Royal Highness to the Riverside Campus emphasised the importance of maritime education and training within the United Kingdom. During her visit, The Princess Royal was warmly welcomed and received a comprehensive tour of the College's state-of-the-art facilities learning about the cutting-edge technology and innovative teaching methods utilised in maritime education today.

The Princess Royal engaged in enlightening discussions with faculty members, school pupils, apprentices and students, allowing her to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector. These interactions highlighted the College's strong commitment to providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the maritime industry, which is vital to the UK's economy.

The highlight of the visit was a thought-provoking discussion, where Her Royal Highness conversed with representatives from City of Glasgow College, industry leaders, and key figures involved in the UK Shipbuilding Industry. This discussion underscored the College's significant role in the creation of the UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce’s report – City of Glasgow’s Principal Paul Little CBE chaired the Taskforce – which addresses critical issues surrounding skills development, workforce requirements, and the future of shipbuilding in the UK.

College Principal Dr Paul Little CBE said:

“City of Glasgow College is honoured to have hosted this prestigious visit and welcomed the opportunity to share the recent UK Shipbuilding Skills Taskforce report with The Princess Royal. This “for industry, by industry” report provides a blueprint for leveraging the UK Skills Systems. The College remains dedicated to preparing the next generation of maritime and shipbuilding professionals and continues to collaborate with industry partners to shape the future of the maritime sector.”

Sir Simon Lister, Managing Director of Naval Ships at BAE Systems who are currently scaling up operations on the River Clyde said:

“Last November, BAE Systems was awarded a £4.2 billion contract with the Ministry of Defence to build five more Type 26 Frigates securing Glasgow’s status as a shipbuilding centre for excellence. It’s important that we work alongside local colleges to build the skills pipeline that will underpin our ambitions for the future from our base here in Glasgow, and support the wider UK shipbuilding sector”.