SHOREHAM Port hosted an employment forum to engage with students and young people and to promote opportunities within the industry.

It brought together key contacts from schools and colleges that work with the students providing careers advice, work experience placements and enterprise opportunities.

A vast range of interesting roles were showcased that are available locally within Shoreham Port and also throughout the industry, both nationally and internationally. Director of corporate services Nicky Goldsbrough presented to the group, emphasising the importance of soft skill development, transferable skills and work experience.

She said the port is committed to offering work experience opportunities to each of the schools and colleges throughout the year.

Port employees from the marine, engineering and marketing department helped to bring the opportunities to life by speaking about what attracted them into the industry, their career development to date and plans for the future.

The presentation was followed by a boat trip along the canal, providing an insight into the dynamic environment the staff work in and a closer look at the port’s operations.

Faye Russell, enterprise co-ordinator at Coast to Capital LEP, said: “t was great to be at the Shoreham Port Employment Forum.

“It’s so important for schools to see the breadth of offer that we have for young people in our local organisations and the tour really helped bring all those jobs to life.

“It’s very difficult to know all the jobs available in a business and having the opportunity for the school to visit the port and actually see what that means is so important.

“It’s really great to see Shoreham Port being so proactive in supporting our local young people and the Enterprise Adviser Network.”

Sarah Linsdell, ICT teacher at Steyning Grammar School, said: “Shoreham Port presented us with a fantastic prospect of seeing the careers opportunities that the port had to offer.

“The boat trip gave us a totally different view of seeing the number of companies that they work with and the commodities coming into the port.

“Initiatives like this allow schools and companies to work more closely together and prepare our students for the workplace.”

Throughout Seafarers Awareness Week there has been considerable activity in UK ports to support the campaign and raise awareness.

This has been an area of focus for the British Ports Association HR and Employment Network which has been facilitating increased collaboration between ports.

Nicky Goldsbrough, chair of the HR and Employment Network said: “Attracting and retaining a diverse mix of people into the sector is a priority for all ports.

“We are all working together to raise awareness of the vital role of ports and the rewarding career opportunities that are available in the sector.”