Maritime UK (MUK) Solent is one of nine regional maritime cluster organisations recognised by the Government and set to benefit from the Maritime Cluster Development Fund (MCDF).
MUK Solent has secured £85,000 from the total £1m fund, announced today (6 December 2024), which is designed to help maritime cluster organisations secure investment for local industries and deliver skills, training, and educational programmes.
Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, said: “The UK is a proud maritime nation, with our coastal communities being vital in unleashing our full potential and unlocking economic growth across the country”.
“By investing in our excellent maritime clusters, we can deliver jobs, skills and training for local communities and turbocharge growth by delivering investment into the sector”.
Stuart Baker, Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent, said: “This is a real boost for MUK Solent and the Solent’s world class maritime sector. This fund recognises the important role the maritime sector has for our nation, but also within coastal communities – many of which face significant social and economic challenges. A flourishing maritime sector can raise prosperity levels and improve futures”.
“As part of this funding organisations need to provide match funding from industry – and we are so grateful for the support of the local businesses to help secure this funding. This grant funding comes at a perfect time as we work towards our ambition of cementing the Solent, along with the exceptional maritime industry, research, and training here, as a global maritime centre of excellence”.
“We have recently launched a membership programme which, along with this funding, will allow us to work more closely with our members and this funding will help us develop a better understanding of the economic impact of the sector locally and its strategic importance to the UK economy. The funding will help us do more of what industry needs – getting young people enthused about careers in maritime, supporting businesses to grow, and convening the sector to collaborate and trade. We will also build on the international collaborations we have established and our commitment to champion the Solent’s incredible maritime sector on the global stage”.
“The maritime sector makes up around 25% of the local economic output of our region and supports almost 140,000 jobs. Like many coastal communities in the UK, this area has its share of employment and skills challenges. It is therefore critical that the Solent’s maritime sector strives to reach its full potential and, in turn, makes a real difference for the economic prosperity of our communities”.
Maritime UK Solent membership is an inclusive membership programme designed to further raise the profiles of local businesses, provide greater opportunities to network, collaborate, and influence national maritime policies.
Full details of the range of membership benefits including unparalleled access to numerous high-profile events can be found at https://muksolent.com/become-a-member/
Full details of the MCDF announcement can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nearly-1-million-investment-for-british-coastal-towns-to-grow-local-economies#:~:text=Nine%20maritime%20clusters%20across%20the,Minister%20Mike%20Kane%20has%20announced.
