Don't let skills float away, Boat Show told

Business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon used his speech at the opening of the London Boat Show (pictured) to encourage businesses to take advantage of funds available to develop their workforce. Speaking at London's ExCel centre, Fallon said: "Employers are invited to develop proposals that raise skills, create jobs, and drive enterprise and economic growth. There is up to £150 million available in this round with applications needed by the 28 March 2013. "We want to see quality proposals from the marine and maritime sectors that strengthen UK supply chains and boost local competitiveness." Lynn Tomkins, operations director at the sector skills council Semta, echoed the remarks, saying that the marine sector needed to act now if it was to remain competitive. "Having been the first female vice president of the Shipbuilders Shiprepairers Association, I would also like to see more young women helped to develop careers in engineering, Tomkins added. "Most of all, I would urge all marine companies to get in touch with Semta to see how we can help them meet the skills challenge head on."