SMarT Funding
Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) is a government funded scheme created to increase the number of qualified seafarers in the UK maritime industry (The Support for Maritime Training Scheme must comply with UK Subsidy Control Regulations from January 2021).
The SMarT scheme was established in April 1998 and supports training courses approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) for the training of officers, officer cadets and ratings.
SMarT funding is claimed on behalf of trainees by sponsoring companies enrolled in the scheme.
The annual budget is set at £15 million, and is designed to help support up to 50% of training costs, subject to eligibility requirements, for the following:
1. Officer cadets following approved training leading to a II/1, III/1 or III/6 Certificate of Competency
2. Junior officer trainees following approved training leading to a II/2, III/2 or III/6 Certificate of Competency.
3. Shore-based elements for Ratings Training
4. Ratings to Officer Conversion Training
5. Graduate Engineer leading to a III/1 Certificate of Competency
6. ECDIS/HV/HELM courses where applicable
7. SMarT Plus trainees where eligible
8. Officer cadets eligible for COVID-19 funding
SMarT funding may also be available for unemployed trainees undertaking junior officer training, ratings training (shore-based), and ratings to officer conversion training. These claims can be made through the Merchant Navy Training Provider.
Eligibility requirements apply in all cases.
A full list of scheme requirements, as well as information about the application process can be found in MGN 455 and MIN 486 available from the gov.uk website which have been extended until further notice.
For further information please contact SMarT.enquiries@ricardo.com or SMarT@mcga.gov.uk.