Isle of Wight-based youth charity UKSA, UK’s top maritime training provider, has still 12 places available on its highly-regarded Yachting Cadetship, a structured three-year apprenticeship – including a Foundation Degree in Operational Yacht Science with Plymouth University. Training begins in October ’13 and permits attendees to ‘earn whilst they learn’ and train for a high-income career on luxury superyachts.
UKSA Cadetship
What’s more, nine of these places are generously part funded via bursaries from the UK’s principal maritime charities, Trinity House and Seafarers UK (under the Professional Yachtsman’s Bursary Scheme*), which makes them accessible to everyone and an immediately viable option for those considering vocational training over the traditional university career path.
The Trinity House & Seafarers UK bursaries will cover the first phase of training (five months) at UKSA’s Cowes campus and amount to a minimum of £14,000 worth of assistance/funding. Both also include a handy living allowance of £200 per month during this time. Once employed as entry level professional deckhands in phase two of the course, students can typically earn €2000 a month tax free (not including tips) working in locations across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and worldwide.
Trinity House 2013 bursary applicants have to attend a two day Cadetship Selection on 9/10th July, with those who pass attending a final interview in London on 23rd July. The Seafarers UK bursary follows a similar application process but is open to candidates throughout the summer.
Daryl Pride
UKSA Director, Daryl Pride, explains: “All things considered, vocational training seems to be the new university – and ours is particularly in demand because of these bursaries on offer. Our yachting cadets can easily graduate debt-free because of what they earn during what amounts to some two years of paid work placements, plus food and accommodation is included in the cost of training. Once onboard a vessel almost all of the student’s living costs are covered by the yacht too.
“With the help of Trinity House and Seafarers UK, young people can now take the first step into this exciting career, as the work placement phases are an excellent and proven means of funding the rest of the cadetship.
“As part of the course, a dedicated team work with each cadet to educate and prepare them for the industry. Utilising our exclusive crew placement website, alongside our global network of industry contacts, we assist with securing their employment phases. Plus, there’s the opportunity of earning a very good starting salary at an early age, which you can’t do in most other professions.”
UKSA Cadetship Manager, Emma Baggett, adds: “These bursaries are an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the right candidates and geared towards MCA Officer of the Watch qualification. Applicants should be between 18 and 25 years old, have obtained at least 120 UCAS points and have high grade passes in GCSE Maths and English. They should be highly motivated, proactive and have a strong work ethic and professional attitude.
“Candidates must be seeking a genuine alternative to university and also demonstrate a keen desire for a long term career in the superyacht industry – and whilst previous water sports and/or yachting experience is highly desirable, it is not essential.
“Our three year course is a highly successful, structured programme and the recognition and support from highly respected maritime organisations like Trinity House and Seafarers UK is an effective endorsement of the UKSA Yachting Cadetship as a viable and practical career path alongside the traditional commercial routes or conventional university study.
“We currently have over 100 cadets at various stages of their training working in the industry and it’s our relationships with crew agents and captains themselves that make the cadetship so successful. This support, which carries on throughout their careers, is unique to UKSA.”
For more information on funding, dates and a Yachting Cadetship application pack contact Lauren on 01983 203038.
