SKILLS PARTNERSHIP DRIVING JOB OUTCOMES FOR MARITIME TALENT

A unique Liverpool City Region Skills Bootcamp is helping individuals prepare to secure jobs in the growing freight forwarding sector. TRS Training has partnered with specialist maritime recruitment agency SeaMarque, which is coaching individuals after completing an International Freight Forwarding Skills Bootcamp in the Liverpool City Region.

Funded by LCR Be More through Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Skills Bootcamp provides the technical knowledge and practical skills required to enter the freight forwarding and logistics sector. With the training now complete, the focus has shifted firmly towards securing meaningful employment by connecting newly skilled individuals who haven’t yet found work directly with industry opportunities.

Through this partnership, participants are being offered exclusive one-to-one sessions with Seamarque’s maritime recruitment specialists. These sessions are designed to provide tailored, real-world insight into employer expectations and recruitment processes within the maritime and freight sector.

During the sessions, SeaMarque works closely with each individual to review their CV, assess their capabilities, and identify both technical strengths and transferable skills. The job seekers are shown how to redefine how they present themselves to employers, including guidance on industry-specific language, positioning their experience effectively, and building confidence in how their skills translate into maritime roles.

As a recruitment agency actively working with employers across the sector, SeaMarque brings an invaluable commercial perspective to the learning landscape. Importantly, they can also put suitable candidates forward for live vacancies with their clients, creating a direct route from training into employment.

Industry-led training leading to maritime employment

Delivered in partnership with the British International Freight Association (BIFA), the International Freight Forwarding Skills Bootcamp has provided individuals with a comprehensive introduction to the freight forwarding and international logistics sector. The programme covered key areas including global supply chains, import and export processes, customs procedures, documentation, and the operational roles involved in moving goods internationally.

Participants also developed an understanding of industry terminology, compliance requirements, and the day-to-day realities of working within the freight and maritime environment, ensuring they are prepared to enter the workplace with confidence and relevant, job-ready knowledge.

The programme reflects the core aim of Skills Bootcamps: to address skills shortages by equipping individuals with in-demand capabilities and linking them directly with employers who are actively recruiting.

By extending support beyond training and into employment, TRS Training is strengthening its impact and ensuring that learners not only gain qualifications but also progress into sustainable careers.

Bringing commercial insight into education

SeaMarque’s involvement adds significant value to this next phase. As a bespoke maritime recruitment firm with a strong regional and global network, SeaMarque specialises in placing talent across technical, operational, and commercial roles within the maritime industry.

With leadership experience spanning more than 18 years in maritime recruitment and international markets, SeaMarque offers deep insight into what employers are really looking for, making it ideally positioned to support individuals transitioning from training into work.

Their approach goes beyond traditional recruitment, focusing on long-term fit, cultural alignment, and helping candidates understand their value in the market; critical factors in improving both hiring success and retention.

A strategic partnership for regional maritime logistics growth

This collaboration reflects TRS Training’s wider strategy of building partnerships that bridge the gap between education and industry, bringing together public investment and commercial expertise to deliver maximum impact.

By working with organisations like SeaMarque, TRS is helping to accelerate employment outcomes, support local businesses in addressing recruitment challenges, and strengthen the Liverpool City Region’s maritime and logistics talent pipeline.

Kevin Birch, Managing Director, TRS Training, said:

“This partnership is securing exactly what Skills Bootcamps are designed to achieve. The training is only part of the journey; what really matters is what happens next. By working with SeaMarque, we’re able to give our learners direct access to industry expertise and live opportunities, helping them move into employment faster and with greater confidence.

We’re proud to be delivering this programme with the support of LCR BeMore and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, ensuring that public investment translates into real outcomes for individuals and employers alike.”

Michal Golab, co-founder and recruitment director, SeaMarque, said:

“We see first-hand the challenges employers face in finding the right talent, and equally, how many capable individuals struggle to position themselves effectively in the market.

Working with TRS Training allows us to bridge that gap. These learners have already developed strong foundational knowledge through the Skills Bootcamp; our role is to help them translate that into a compelling proposition for employers. By combining training with real industry insight and access to live opportunities, we can support individuals into roles where they can genuinely add value from day one.”

So far, eight participants who have recently completed the Skills Bootcamp have benefitted from one-to-one sessions with SeaMarque. They are currently being put forward for interviews with regional freight supply chain operators as opportunities arise.