Fears grow over Plymouth's 'unskilled' workforce

Claire Elliott & Plymouth Live readers
·3-min read
Devonport Dockyard
-Credit: (Image: Alison Stephenson)


PlymouthLive readers are joining council leader Tudor Evans in highlighting the fact that Plymouth locals need to enhance their skills to capitalise on "vast opportunities" in the coming years.

Mr Evans (Lab, Ham) believes that Plymouth is "on the cusp" of unlocking its potential but emphasised the necessity for "a concerted effort" in skill development.

During the unveiling of the Plymouth Economic Strategy, he informed the natural infrastructure and growth scrutiny panel about the importance of high-value jobs for boosting prosperity, citing the creation of 7,500 jobs at Babcock’s Devonport Dockyard, including 2,000 construction roles over the next decade. The city has seen the creation of 7,000 jobs in the past two years.

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The strategy focuses not only on traditional sectors like marine, defence, and manufacturing but also aims to nurture emerging industries such as floating offshore wind (Flow) and creative sectors, alongside the development of Plymouth's four ports. However, Mr Evans acknowledged the challenges ahead, with a tight labour market, increasing demand for skilled workers, a need for city centre revitalisation, and the pressing issue of the climate emergency.

Mr Evans pointed out that Plymouth has a significant number of individuals with no qualifications and others with limited advanced skills. To address this, there are plans to establish a marine and green energy skills hub at City College within a redeveloped Civic Centre.

Commenter Sloopdog1 says: “Barrow-in-Furness and Portsmouth have better opportunities, Barrow with a population of 80,000 have more opportunities in their shipyard and house prices are a third less and on the edge of the best national park in the country. Portsmouth has more money and more funding per person on the NHS.

"Our city is in decline with a below the England average of life expectancy. If you’re young then get out while you can, apart from a few decent pubs it has nothing to offer you. We need to offer the youngsters more to entice them to stay in the city, cheaper housing like up North would help.”

Princewalter replies: “That means a vibrant and well balanced economy. Not one that has been dependent on the government for so long. This has led to inertia and a workforce that lacks any skills for the future industries.”

Diesel236 thinks: “The biggest problem is being skilled, but nobody wants to pay you a decent wage. You can not learn a trade in just 6 months so it is never worth bothering with.”

Steve25x remembers: “When I left school in the late sixties I had the chance to go for about 5 apprenticeships. The one I picked was offered. You accepted the low pay and went to college. But it was worth it in the end. The government should offer grants to companies to encourage apprenticeships.”

Matt Walker says: “42 years ago I was a MOD apprentice for the MOD at Devonport. I then went on to work locally for Toshiba, Salvage International and Princess Yachts before setting up my own marine engineering business. I am still working hands on.

"Proper hands on apprenticeships are dying. Colleges / universities have their place but is not the way forward to get workforce skills and experience. I have noticed a decline in quality tradesmen/ women in the marine industry locally. There is a massive generation gap. Bring back a proper hands on apprenticeship.”

Louis Williams agrees: “Not hard is it? Offer more apprenticeships? They are the way forward.”

What do you think is the best way forward for Plymouth? Have your say in our comments section.

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