Port of Sunderland is celebrating the success of three young employees who have all completed their apprenticeships this month.
Keenan Summers, Martyn Foster and Owen Marshall, have all successfully completed their two-year Port Services apprenticeships and will now move into full-time employment at the port as port services assistants.
During their apprenticeships, the trio have benefitted from first-class mentorship from the port’s supervisory cargo team leaders and also port training services, and have gained practical hands-on experience in a wide range of operational activities.
The apprentices have successfully completed formal training to competently operate a number of items of port plant and machinery, as well as in working at height, slinger banksman and manual handling. Most recently, they have supported the port’s logistics team with weighbridge operations.
To celebrate their apprenticeship success, Sunderland City Council hosted a mini graduation ceremony at Sunderland City Hall on Wednesday 11 February, which was attended by Sunderland City Council Chief Executive Patrick Melia, and Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council.
The event coincided with National Apprenticeship Week 2026, which took place from 9th – 15th February and is a nationwide celebration highlighting the positive impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and local communities.
Matthew Hunt, Director at Port of Sunderland, said: “It has been fantastic to see Keenan, Martyn and Owen grow over the past two years with the support of our great mentors and establish themselves as members of the port team.
“Throughout their apprenticeships, we have seen them hone their skills, become more confident and gain valuable experience, all while earning the real living wage and contributing to the vital work of the port, so it gives us great pride to see them now becoming full-time members of the team.
“Apprenticeships provide great opportunities for young people and we’ve seen this first-hand. In fact, we have a number of long-serving employees who started as apprentices and have grown with the business and hopefully we will see Keenan, Martyn and Owen go on to have just as successful careers of their own.”
We are currently advertising for an Apprentice Port Engineer to join our team.
The closing date is Friday 6 March 2026 and for more information please visit: https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/Apprentice_Port_Engineer/291532