£6.5m investment in state-of-the-art training facility
“The support from Dover District Council has been tremendous, the passion they also have for the vision means Viking were able to move the project on quicker than expected and start courses in a temporary basis until the main facility can be constructed.”
(Mark Jaenicke, Recruitment & HR Director, Viking Recruitment)
With assistance from Dover District Council, Viking Recruitment has secured an initial interest free loan of £1.3 million from the East Kent Expansion Fund for the development of a state-of-the-art Maritime Skills Academy at the Beechwood Business Park in Dover.
The Academy will include a specialist fire fighting and a sea survival centre with wave pool and accompanying environmental effects. The new complex will meet the increased demand for such training with new regulations coming into force in 2017 requiring all seafarers to undertake increased training as well as refresher training every five years.
In addition to providing safety and sea survival training, the centre will also feature numerous training rooms for professional development, simulator training equipment, conference provision for 120 people, modern kitchens, a restaurant, and coffee shop/bar, all utilised for maritime hospitality training. The facility will also showcase the industry as a career.