Denmark's offshore capital wants to train ship assistants.
From August 2025, young people in the Esbjerg area will have the opportunity to train as inexperienced ship assistants locally.
MARTEC and Fredericia Maskinmesterskole Esbjerg (FMS) have entered into a partnership to offer the basic maritime education as an inexperienced ship assistant in Esbjerg.
The initiative comes on the recommendation of Danish Shipping and with financial support from the Lauritzen Foundation.
This was announced by MARTEC in a press release.
- We look forward to collaborating with Fredericia Maskinmesterskole, which shares our ambition to offer the inexperienced ship assistant training in Esbjerg. Together, we can offer a strong study environment and an interesting education with many perspectives for young people considering a future at sea, says Pia Ankerstjerne, director of MARTEC.
The six-month long education aims to meet the increasing need for qualified labor in the offshore wind sector and the maritime industry in general.
Esbjerg, a hub for the offshore and wind industries, has many companies in need of ship assistants.
- Fredericia maskinmesterskole once brought the marine engineering education back to Esbjerg. It is pleasing that we can once again contribute to bringing a sought-after education to Esbjerg, says Jens Færgemand, principal of Fredericia Maskinmesterskole, Esbjerg.
The education officially starts in August 2025 with space for 18 students per semester. It is offered as a two-year trial period with the possibility of extension.
The Lauritzen Foundation provides financial support for the startup phase, while local companies and shipping companies secure internships and job opportunities for the students.
Jesper Frost Rasmussen, mayor of Esbjerg Municipality, expresses satisfaction with the initiative:
- The educational offer is expected to strengthen the maritime sector in Southern Denmark and give local youths a quick path into a career at sea. The new initiative emphasizes the importance of educating qualified labor for the growing offshore sector, says Jesper Frost Rasmussen.
