European Social Fund in England

Cornwall Marine Network celebrates success

Cornwall Marine Network is a not-for-profit organisation offering marketing and training support to more than 300 members, to help the local marine sector to grow. The majority of its initiatives are funded through the European Social Fund (ESF) Convergence programme, which supports economic regeneration for the Cornwall region.

Mashfords of Cremyll in Torpoint is just one of the local employers that the Cornwall Marine Network has helped. With a history going back over 80 years, the company’s expertise spans a range of vessels, from fishing boats to private yachts, and its clients include the Ministry of Defence and Serco.

In 2009, the company decided to offer its staff the opportunity to earn formal qualifications that acknowledge their practical skills and know-how. At first, some of the staff found the prospect of returning to education daunting. But, following one-to-one meetings with Cornwall Marine Network’s training team, 27 of the company’s 32-strong workforce signed up.

The results have been fantastic in terms of employees’ job satisfaction, motivation and an enhanced pride in the company. And Mashfords was named South West Employer of the Year for its outstanding dedication to developing the skills of its staff.

Richard Porter, Mashfords’ General Manager said, "It is fantastic news for a small company of our size to be recognised for our efforts in the training of our staff. This means a lot to us and would not have been possible without the assistance of Cornwall Marine Network."

17 year old Eden McCann is another Cornwall Marine Network success story. Eden was only diagnosed as having dyslexia after leaving school and, having struggled with further academic attempts last year, he felt he had hit rock bottom.

He said, “I tried doing a traditional boatbuilding course at Falmouth Marine College, but I couldn’t keep up with the written course work so I dropped out. I then spent six months unemployed, just doing nothing. It was really boring and it knocked my confidence. I knew what job I wanted but I didn’t know how to achieve it.”

Determined to break into his chosen profession, Eden turned to the community support network of his former Falmouth School and Cornwall Marine Network’s Marine Academy. This was the turning point he needed.

First, Eden completed the Cornwall Marine Academy and Clipper Ventures water sports project, funded through the ESF Convergence Freestyle Project and delivered by Cornwall Marine Network and Clipper Ventures in collaboration with the Learning Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The course saw Eden sail a 60 foot yacht to Fowey and learn teambuilding, navigation and first aid skills. He completed it with an RYA Level 1 Competent Crew qualification, as well as certificates in Basic First Aid Skills, Surf Rescue Skills and Team Development Skills.

Spurred on by his achievement, Eden went on to join an Entry to Employment training scheme. This work-based initiative, delivered through Cornwall Council and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, develops the employability skills of young people through a variety of experiences including work experience. Eden was matched up with Rustler Yachts, a member of Cornwall Marine Network. The company quickly recognised Eden’s motivation, commitment and aptitude and have since offered him a full-time apprenticeship.

Eden’s mum Julie said, “We are very grateful to Cornwall Marine Network for getting behind Eden when he most needed a chance. He was like a lost soul for a while as he didn’t want to go back into education. Being behind a desk with pen and paper was like torture to him. His success shows other young people what you can achieve and how barriers like dyslexia can be overcome.”