Support for Maritime Training

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Support for Maritime Training (SMarT)

The Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme was set up in 1998 following the Government White Paper initiative ‘Charting a New Course’. SMarT was intended to facilitate an adequate supply of UK maritime expertise to meet the nation’s economic and strategic requirements, by giving financial assistance to organisations providing merchant navy training. This in turn helped ensure the continuing viability of the UK maritime sector, including shore-based maritime activities.

SMarT currently covers approximately 50% of actual training costs and is paid to the Training Providers (shipping companies) who sponsor the seafarers and not to individuals or colleges. There are five different categories of SMarT including funding for a first and second Certificate of Competency, single courses and rating to officer conversions. The highest proportion of the budget is claimed under SMarT 1, which funds officer trainees for their first STCW Certificate of Competency.

SMarT is currently administered on behalf of the MCA by MaTSU, an independent unit of AEA Technology plc. The budget is held by MCA/DfT and MaTSU provides the funding direct to Training Providers and conduct audits to ensure compliance.

Further information

On 12 December 2010 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Penning) announced a package of measures relating to the maritime industry following the Spending Review. With regards to the SMarT scheme the Department for Transport has been able to allocate some £12m to support maritime training in the next financial year. The majority of this money will be focused on supporting initial training for cadets studying at junior officer level (SMarT 1). It is estimated that this will enable the Department to contribute to the training of up to 1,000 new cadets starting their training during the next academic year. Mr Penning also confirmed that funding will be available beyond next year for all cadets starting SMarT 1 training in 2011/12, and those already undergoing SMarT1 training, for the duration of their studies to their Officer of the Watch CoC.

In addition, funding will also remain available next year for ratings training and for ratings to officer conversion training and some funding will be available to support the first instalment of SMarT 2 - helping those SMarT 1 officer cadets who are also working towards Foundation and other Degrees, Higher National Diplomas or Scottish Diplomas to complete their studies.

For the remaining parts of the SMarT programme, including SMarT 2 training beyond the first instalment, the Government believes that in current circumstances it is more appropriate that the cost of this additional training should be met in full by employers.

During the year a review of the Support for Maritime Training scheme will be commissioned to consider the continuing requirement for Government support for training and skills development in this sector and how best to spend any continuing Government funding.

As a result of the above measures no new TPs may join the scheme which also includes joining an existing consortium.