We’d like to congratulate Stephen Watkins, our National Maritime Training Manager, who has been awarded the ‘Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service.’ By HRH The Princess Royal. What an achievement!
Stephen said on receiving the award “I was nominated for the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service in 2020 for my work in maritime training over the last 30 years, but more importantly for my involvement in the development of the Maritime Apprenticeships over the last 10 years. I have been part of the Merchant Navy Training Board’s – Maritime Apprenticeship ‘Trailblazer’ Group, set up for the development of the apprenticeships and also for the delivery of them within NMTC at North Kent College. We now have apprentices in all three disciplines – Deck, Engine and Catering, for the first time in 25 years.
‘It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been involved in the training of new, young entrants to the industry and to see them grow in confidence and competence to become the mariners of the future. I hope my enthusiasm has ‘rubbed off’ on some of them and I feel honoured that my service over this time has been recognised.’
Well done Stephen, you’ve made us all very proud!
