Isle of Wight-based UKSA has announced the launch of a fully-funded foundation course for young people who have just finished their GCSEs and are looking to start a career in the maritime industry. The Maritime Foundation course will provide students with skills and qualifications that demonstrate their competency to work as a seafarer. The two-year course is suitable for those with little-to-no experience of the maritime sector as it will provide all essential skills, qualifications and knowledge for entry-level positions, thanks to a 60/40 split of practical and theory training.

“UKSA is determined to provide as many opportunities to young people across the Isle of Wight and further afield,” explains UKSA’s Education Manager Will Satterly. “This new course is designed to open as many doors as possible for those willing to work hard, listen and learn from experienced tutors who are passionate about helping them set long-term goals and giving them the tools to achieve them.”

Education topics covered include maritime safety, vessel rope work, anchoring, mooring operations, vessel construction and stability and control operation of survival craft. Successful completion of the course will open up opportunities in a variety of maritime sectors, including on board superyachts, in the Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, and within the fisheries industry.

The course is government funded as part of a full-time 16-plus Further Education (FE) programme and is ideal for those looking for work in the maritime sector or would like to take a structured pathway towards UKSA’s flagship course; the Superyacht Cadetship. This is due to the fact it gives students the chance to achieve the UCAS points needed to progress onto the foundation degree attached to the cadetship programme. 

“UKSA’s Maritime Foundation course could be the first step into a career in a thriving industry, with long-term prospects, opening pathways into future training,” Satterly concludes. “The first step is always the hardest but UKSA is experienced in supporting young people and was created to inspire and raise aspirations.”

The initiative is extremely positive for the superyacht industry, which is constantly expanding and demands increased numbers of quality crew. The course will hopefully attract young people that might not otherwise be able to enter into the industry, which often involves substantial upfront investment from prospective crew. Another benefit of the course is that it is aimed at 16-to-18 year olds – an age group is often neglected by professional qualifications – as it will help candidates get a head start in the industry and gain relevant experience, instead of having to tread water for two years after their GCSEs by doing more conventional academic courses.

Profile links

UKSA

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.