In December 2024, the Scottish Maritime Cluster secured funding from the Department for Transport’s Cluster Development Fund. This support catalysed the launch of an ambitious outreach project designed to inspire young people across Scotland to pursue maritime careers. The initiative features a series of dynamic events tailored for S3 pupils, spotlighting the breadth and excitement of opportunities within the sector. To ensure the programme’s success, Clark Communications was appointed as outreach coordinator, guiding the project from conception to delivery.

Additionally, we are creating a Maritime Toolkit intended to gather comprehensive information and resources about maritime careers in Scotland. While the toolkit will primarily focus on our members, we aim to include relevant programmes and activities from other partners and individuals throughout Scotland. If you would like your initiatives featured, please contact us so we can do out upmost to ensure your inclusion.

A group of key match funders and in-kind supporters have played a crucial role in enabling this initiative, including Belcan, CalMac Ferries, City of Glasgow College, Clyde Marine Training, CMAL, Denholm Group, Malin Group, NorthLink Ferries, Northern Lighthouse Board, Port of Aberdeen, RINA, Seapeak, Strathclyde University and Tymor Marine. Their contributions have been invaluable in bringing the programme to fruition.

Our outreach coordinator will soon announce the dates and times for upcoming events, which have been organised in collaboration with Developing the Young Workforce coordinators—whose support has greatly enhanced our connections to expertise and resources.

We look forward to keeping you informed about these developments—please stay tuned for further updates.

Scotland has a big future in maritime, and we need a new generation of people to help us build it.

That’s where this toolkit comes in! It’s been created to help young people like you learn more about the exciting world of maritime: the jobs, the technology, the travel, and the future opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re picking your subjects, thinking about your next steps, or starting to explore your interests, this guide is here to show you what’s possible. From captaining a ferry to programming underwater robots, there’s something for everyone in the maritime sector.

This toolkit is packed with real-life stories, facts, challenges and ideas to help you imagine your future.

And if you’re a teacher, it’s full of classroom-ready materials that support lessons and conversations about careers, the economy and more.

Check out our toolkit below and see where your maritime future might lead!

SMC Schools STEM Event

Showcasing Innovation and Opportunity in Scotland’s Maritime Sector

The SMC Maritime STEM Event for Schools took place on Tuesday, 26th November 2024, at the Glasgow Science Centre. Led by the SMC and generously sponsored by the Royal Navy, the event aimed to highlight the diverse range of STEM applications within the Scottish maritime industry.

Throughout the day, exhibitors displayed their pioneering STEM technologies tailored for the maritime sector. This initiative supported the central purpose of promoting STEM within education and inspired young minds to consider maritime STEM as a career. Schools were invited to attend, giving students a unique opportunity to engage directly with the industry.

The event’s primary objective was to encourage students to view maritime STEM as a viable and exciting career path. A secondary goal was to provide a high-profile platform for SMC members and the broader Scottish maritime industry to showcase key technologies, share best practices, enhance company profiles, generate new business opportunities, and build valuable connections with other professionals.

If successful, organisers noted that this conference could become an annual fixture within the maritime community.

The conference featured a rich and varied programme, including engaging talks, dynamic demonstrations, and a wide array of exhibitors. Key topics addressed at the event included recent naval engineering advancements, the development and management of ports and vessels, apprenticeship opportunities, and comprehensive careers advice. The agenda also explored innovative marine technologies, sustainable practices within the industry, and showcased state-of-the-art maritime equipment.

Students benefited from networking with leading industry professionals, learning from top-tier experts, and exploring a variety of potential career paths in the maritime sector. The event proved to be an enlightening and collaborative experience for all involved, fostering a spirit of innovation and partnership throughout the Scottish maritime community.