NEWS RELEASE 28th November 2016

Tilbury on the Thames has been awarded a Libor Grant Commitment of £750’000.00 to develop a bursary and training scheme for veterans and their families within Logistics at The Port of Tilbury.

Our proposal as a Trust is to blend community and commercial uses at the Grade II* Cruise Terminal complex in Tilbury as part of a wider ambition to restore heritage, generate training opportunities and connect with the increased Port investment and expansion of employment opportunities at The Port of Tilbury.

With the full support of the Port of Tilbury and the Royal British Legion, our proposal for a veteran focused training programme and bursary scheme will ensure that those who represent the best of values – our ex-servicemen and women – form a central part in the delivery of this vision.

Kate Green, East Anglia and Essex Manager Royal British Legion

“This project can only be a great success. Every week we have young soldiers who have settled in Essex seeking employment and re-training. At the present time we struggle to find enough placements and training opportunities for them. The Port of Tilbury can offer all of this.”

Many people have backed this project from the outset and assisted in its development of what they see as a key project for the area.

Jackie Doyle Price MP, who has long been a great advocate for the port and veteran community, has given much of her time in supporting Tilbury on The Thames Trust in an advisory role. Her work has been invaluable and we look forward to continuing to have Jackie’s support as the project develops.

Jackie Doyle Price MP

I am hugely excited by the potential of this project and its ability to deliver both sustainable employment for its participants as well as providing good, skilled staff to support our logistics industries locally. It will be a win-win all round.

The Port of Tilbury already has an established award winning Logistics Training Academy that will now expand and be able to offer the training and support to our veteran community alongside developing a centre of excellence in training for the Logistics Sector.  

Perry Glading COO Forth Ports

“The Port of Tilbury is rooted in our community, having seen successive generations generate a sense of belonging and shared endeavour. Our port family echoes the feeling of comradeship within the Armed Forces, confirmed by our current veterans who enjoy successful careers. We want to develop this further and are fully committed to making any LIBOR investment work to support those who embody the best of values.”

The programme is due to start in April 2017 for contact details please go to our contact page