60 new jobs as Fife yard secures contract for second vessel
A Fife yard is celebrating a new contract - and it is recruiting.
Navantia UK has won its second new vessel export contract for its Methil yard and is taking on 60 skilled workers to support the next phase of work.
It follows a first new vessel export order secured earlier this year and comes shortly after Methil completed construction of the Navantia UK Seahorse, the barge supporting delivery of the Fleet Solid Support programme for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
The 60 roles are for experienced welders and platers, as well as riggers, scaffolders and painters.
Navantia UK recently announced a further £12 million investment at Methil to support improved training facilities, modern machinery, infrastructure improvements and new technology. This will take total investment in the yard to £26.7 million since the company acquired the site in January 2025.
Methil is also well placed to support the floating docks programme for HM Naval Base Clyde, following the Chancellor’s announcement earlier this month that the infrastructure will be built and delivered in UK shipyards.
Since acquisition, the workforce at Methil has grown from 180 to 275 people. The latest recruitment campaign will add more high-quality skilled jobs, alongside the company’s apprenticeship programme, which now has 75 apprentices in training at the site.
The recruitment drive builds on generations of skill and heavy engineering experience at Methil. Allan Lister, a plater who started at the yard in 1985, said: “I've worked all over Britain, and the guys you worked with here, nine times out of ten, were better than anybody else.”
Welder Willie Gibson, who also joined in 1982, added: “We've got some really good apprentices.”
The contract was also welcomed by the company’s management.
Steve Chisholm, general manager at Methil, said: “Winning another export contract shows the progress being made at Methil and the confidence customers are placing in the yard.
“With Seahorse completed, new work coming in and investment going into the site, we are now recruiting more skilled people to help build the yard’s future workload.”
Katherine Thorn, head of talent and culture at Navantia UK, said: “These are good skilled jobs, with the opportunity to work on significant programmes, develop long-term careers and contribute to the future of shipbuilding in Fife.
“We are looking for experienced welders and platers who want to join a growing team at a yard with a proud industrial heritage and a stronger pipeline of work.”
There was also support from the trades unions, with Rhea Wolfson, GMB Scotland secretary, adding: “Under new ownership, this shipyard is going from strength to strength with new investment being reflected in orders and recruitment.
“The importance of these skilled jobs and quality apprenticeships to the communities of Fife and Scotland’s industrial capability cannot be overstated.”