Southampton Armed Forces Champion calls for more education on Naval pathways

It comes after Merchant Navy Day yesterday

Members of the council and the Navy holding the Red Ensign flag
Author: Freya TaylorPublished 4th Sep 2026

There are calls for schools to highlight pathways into the navy for south coast teenagers.

It follows Merchant Navy Day yesterday, which commemorated those who served and are serving in the forces.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment's the Veterans and Seafaring Champion and Armed Forces Champion for Southampton.

She said: "We need to encourage younger generations, and events as simple as raising the flag actually means that younger people can see we do hold them in high regard, those people that serve this country.

"I think there's a job of work with schools because what became apparent a few years ago is not many of our schools engage when they talk about opportunities for young people.

"Hairdressing, you know, they want to be film stars, they want to be pop stars, they want to go and work in some sort of industry.

"Very few recognise the fact that we have such major thriving job opportunities within the port.

"I think it's getting them at an early age to understand that the port is a major economic player in the city.

"It's not just, you have to get on a ship and go out to sea, to be part of that community.

"The jobs in the port are endless."

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