Cyber skills for remote operator jobs in transportation sectors

Establishing pathways for maritime skills development in the South West
Cargo ship with graphics symbolising smart shipping

Cyber skills for remote operator jobs in transportation sectors

Establishing pathways for maritime skills development in the South West
Title: Cyber skills for remote operator jobs in transportation sectors
Funded by: Innovate UK
Competition name: Cyber Local 2025–2026
Project period: 2025–2026
Project partners: University of Plymouth, SeaBot Maritime Ltd
Transportation assets – maritime, rail, and aviation – are central to the UK's economy and national security. In the South West, maritime activities are particularly significant, although all three sectors play a key role. The increasing adoption of digital systems and remote operations centres (ROCs) is transforming how these assets are managed.
While remote operation offers clear operational benefits, it also introduces new vulnerabilities. Cyber threats to nationally important infrastructure present risks that must be anticipated and addressed through targeted skills development.
The University of Plymouth, in partnership with SeaBot Maritime, is developing a structured approach to training for ROCs. This collaboration brings together:
  • The University of Plymouth's internationally recognised expertise in cyber security
  • SeaBot Maritime's specialist knowledge in digital learning design and training provision.
The project will establish pathways for reskilling and upskilling the transportation workforce, ensuring current and future employees are equipped to work effectively and securely within digitally enabled environments.
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Objectives and outputs

The project will:
  • Develop training models for both individuals and ROC teams, focusing on cyber threat awareness, mitigation, and communication between centres.
  • Apply contemporary teaching methods, including artificial intelligence, simulation, gamification, and immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality.
  • Undertake stakeholder engagement with employers, SMEs, communities, local authorities, and ROC operators to identify skills needs, barriers to entry, and effective learning approaches.
  • Produce a skills roadmap tailored to the South West demographic, supporting workforce development at both individual and organisational levels.
  • Disseminate findings through workshops, digital content, policy papers, and academic publications, including contributions to international forums such as the International Maritime Organization.

Project impact

The South West provides a strong context for this work, offering opportunities to:
  • Broaden participation in the transportation sector by reducing barriers for women, people with disabilities, individuals seeking a second career, and those in remote or disadvantaged areas.
  • Retain experienced maritime professionals by enabling transition into new digital roles.
  • Support regional economic development by enhancing the local skills base and creating new training and employment opportunities.
  • By embedding cyber-physical competencies in ROC operations, the project will position the South West as a leader in this emerging field.
The outcomes of this project will not only benefit the region but also contribute to the development of global training practices. SeaBot Maritime will work with relevant bodies to promote the creation of a new international standard for ROC cyber skills training, ensuring that lessons from the South West can inform policy and practice at a wider scale.
 

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