An artist's impression of how Liverpool2 will look. Photo: Peel Ports.
Peel Ports' £300M ($497M) investment in the Liverpool2 deepwater container terminal will create around 5,000 new jobs in the maritime and logistics supply chains over the next five years, including 500 at the port itself, the company states.
As a result, £350,000 is being spent to enhance training and skills and the port has embarked on a recruitment campaign. New jobs will include full- and part-time opportunities for stevedores, pilots, launch crew, line handlers, plant operators, haulage administrators, vessel planning and supervision staff, and work in management, accounts and commercial services.
"The recruitment process is presently focused on filling specialised engineering and technology roles," a spokesman stated. "So far, eight positions have been filled at the Port of Liverpool and from early 2015 recruitment will increase significantly, with the focus shifting to operational roles at the port". He added: "Two-thirds of the direct jobs are expected to be taken by people living within a ten-mile radius of the port."
Peel Ports director David Huck pointed out that the UK maritime sector is facing an estimated shortfall of 5,000 staff over the next few years. As a result, Peel Ports is working with specialised education and training providers, including Hugh Baird College, Mersey Maritime, Liverpool John Moore's University, and Liverpool Community College.
The company already has an extensive apprenticeship programme in place in partnership with Maritime and Engineering College North West, employing around 40 apprentices in electrical and mechanical engineering roles, he said.
"Employment in the maritime sector is expected to double over the next 20 years," Huck points out, "and Peel Ports is determined to play a pivotal role both in creating those jobs and ensuring the workforce has the skills we need to be successful."
Peel unveiled details of the jobs it is looking to fill once the project is completed, including stevedores, pilots, launch crew, line handlers, plant operators, vessel planning staff, and people in management, accounts and commercial services.
It also intends to invest a further US$580,000 in training in order to meet the demands of workers wishing to work on a full- or part-time basis.
Peel already has 40 apprentices being trained in electrical and mechanical engineering roles with Maritime Engineering College North West.
David Huck, port director at Peel Ports, told Echo Business: “Investments like Liverpool2 have the ability to make a positive contribution to an export-led economic recovery but in order to be truly sustainable, Peel Ports needs to invest and continue to invest in the core skills required to do so.”
Peel estimates a knock-on effect of Liverpool2, which is due to open late next year, will see another 2,000 jobs created in the wider economy.
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