UK government backs subsea cable skills event at BT Tower

UK Digital Economy Minister Baroness Lloyd joined government, industry and academia at London’s BT Tower this week to discuss how the UK can attract and develop workers for the subsea cable sector. BT hosted the Subsea Cables Summer Reception in partnership with the European Subsea Cables Association (ESCA), the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) and the SubOptic Foundation.

According to the event organisers, subsea telecommunications cables carry more than 99% of intercontinental digital communications. The groups said the sector depends on offshore and onshore workers including mariners, engineers, technicians, environmental specialists, manufacturers and project managers to build, install, maintain, repair and protect the infrastructure.

Baroness Lloyd opened the event with Gus Jaspert, Managing Director – Marine at The Crown Estate. The minister also met engineers, cable specialists and offshore professionals, as well as members of ESCA’s NextGen Subgroup, which the organisers said includes around 120 students and early-career professionals. Speakers also highlighted graduate routes, apprenticeships, vocational training and technical education as ways to build the future workforce.