Maritime courses will be featured in college's virtual open day
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
North East Scotland College is holding a virtual open day on Wednesday, December 1, to share the launch of full-time courses starting from August 2022.
Among the varied offerings is the sponsored Merchant Navy Cadetship delivered by NESCol’s Scottish Maritime Academy (SMA) based in Peterhead.
Now in its second year the Deck Officer Cadet programme is for anyone who would like to serve as a deck officer on seagoing ships of the Merchant Navy.
Delivered over three years it is a blend of college and sea-based training that is proving popular with school leavers and those looking for a change of career.
Maritime centre manager Linda Hope said: “This years’ cohort is a mix of school leavers and students who previously completed the Trainee Deckhand course. All have a passion for the industry and are looking for a career that will literally take them places.
“It’s not necessary to have any sea experience to apply – many of our cadets haven’t. Some have connections in the industry, mainly family or friends and a couple are former Sea or Royal Marine Cadets.
"However, if you can apply yourself and you are passionate about the industry we want to hear from you.”
Cadet Murray Macpherson from Oldmeldrum is a former Trainee Deckhand student who enrolled on this SCQF Level 5 to gain the practical experience ahead of applying for the cadetship.
He said: “The Trainee Deckhand course has prepared me well for the first 17 weeks of training, I am actually surprised how much of the basics I already know.
"We’ve also had to learn computing skills – Word, Excel and Access which I wasn’t expecting. I am looking forward to my first sea training phase in the new year.”
The SMA work with a number of shipping companies that sponsor the cadets throughout the course covering fees and a maintenance allowance. This year’s sponsors include Norbulk Shipping, Tidewater, Sentinel Marine and Vroon .
Unlike most NESCol full-time courses, cadets attend college five days a week and come from all over Scotland. Many live in rented accommodation, returning home at the weekends if possible.
Cadet Finlay Buchan said “All of lecturers know their stuff – they are previous sea-goers so they are not just teaching, they are sharing.”
The cadetship comprises of HNC Nautical Science and is at SCQF Level 7. The minimum entry requirements are four National 5 passes which must include English, maths and one science subject.
For more information contact lhope@nescol.ac.uk or visit www.nescol.ac.uk
People can register for the open day at www.nescol.ac.uk/students/new-applicants/open-days
