Report reveals demand for UK junior officers.

Both UK shipowners and the maritime union NUMAST last month welcomed the results of research highlighting growing demand for UK junior officers.

The UK's Chamber of Shipping and the union jointly commissioned the study, which has been submitted to the UK's shipping minister Dr Stephen

The research, carried out by the Mackinnon Partnership, questioned employers who are training three-quarters of all current British cadets and employing just under half of all seagoing British officers. It found that more than 90% of companies were planning to 'definitely or probably offer employment' to cadets who complete their training.

The research also found that employers expect their demand for junior officers to increase, and to continue to increase over the next 10 years. According to the findings, the total number of junior officers recruited will increase by 19% over the next three years and will continue to increase over the next decade.

However, the findings also showed that 40% of respondents do not train, which "illustrates a strong need for measures to encourage 'non-trainers' to contribute to the UK maritime skills base," the statement said. "This can best be done through financial incentives and maximum use of the EU state aid guidelines," they told the minister.