Lerwick Port Authority’s role in helping to set a young Shetlander on his career path has been noted in media coverage of the work by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the national service providing advice and guidance to all ages.
When Ronan Laurenson left Shetland’s Brae High School in 2022, and guided by his SDS adviser, his plan was to take a local college course to prepare for a marine cadetship, but it was cancelled.
His Shetland-based SDS adviser, Vaila Angus, helped to identify the skills and qualifications he needed to pursue a maritime career and to access support from The Bridges Project, which supports young Shetlanders with classes, courses and activities improving confidence, self-esteem, motivation, employability skills and qualifications.
One of Vaila’s top tips is to gain experience and The Bridges Project arranged for Ronan to work with the Port Authority as a port operations assistant. His duties included routine services for shipping customers and practical hands-on maintenance work.
Ronan achieved the qualifications needed for a life at sea and was accepted on a Merchant Navy course at City of Glasgow College where the 17-year-old is now finishing his first year on an NC in Shipping and Maritime Operations.
Quoted in a SDS write-up in The Herald, Ronan said: “I am really grateful to The Bridges Project for securing me with a work placement with the Lerwick Port Authority until my college course started, which I learnt many practical life skills from, as well as an understanding of the maritime industry from the shoreside.”
Port Authority Chief Executive Calum Grains said: “We are delighted to have helped Ronan get his foot on the career ladder and to see him making steady progress towards a career at sea.”
Ronan’s enthusiasm for the sea, also saw him participating as a sail trainee in The Tall Ships Races 2023, sailing onboard Swan between Lerwick and Arendal, Norway, a placement sponsored by Sail Training Shetland.
Read more on the work of SDS and Ronan’s experience at The Herald.
