The SSTG is a company limited by guarantee, set up by a consortium of shipping companies to provide them with marine training services on a non-profit making basis. Membership of the consortium is not restricted to any particular type of company, ship type, or area of operation. New companies are actively encouraged to join the consortium. Each participating company is a member of SSTG Ltd. (analogous to shareholders although there is no share capital) has a voting interest in the SSTG and is controlled through a Board of Directors drawn from member companies, each of which may nominate a director. The day to day management of SSTG is the responsibility of the Managing Director. The SSTG is responsible for a significant proportion of British Shipping seafarer training, particularly in respect of new entrant cadets, and last year was responsible for the training of over 1,500 seafarers, with cadets numbering over 600 of this total. As a significant contributor to maritime training the SSTG participates fully in various Industry bodies and forums concerned with developments in marine training e.g. Merchant Navy Training Board and Chamber of Shipping, and maintains close liaison with other organisations such as the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Marine Colleges. The benefit accruing to companies from membership of the SSTG is access to a comprehensive, cost effective and efficient training management service (including recruitment of new entrants to follow approved training programmes leading to officer of the watch or rating qualifications), and to a body of specialist expertise and information on training and certification matters, available in support of individual company training objectives.