Wednesday, 29 July 2009

CADETS CELEBRATE SUCCESS IN MCA ORAL EXAMS

Five Merchant Navy engineer officer cadets studying at the NAFC Marine Centre’s Shetland School of Nautical Studies successfully passed their MCA oral exams last week – including their first ever female engineer cadet to qualify.

NAFC Marine Centre senior engineering lecturer Roger Pascal said: “By passing this exam, the cadets have now attained their Officer of the Watch Engineering Certificate of Competency, which means they are qualified to sail on any British ship of any size anywhere in the world as a watch keeper in the engine room.

“In fact, at least two of the cadets have already been taken on by their sponsor company and will return to sea as watch keepers as soon as the relevant paperwork has been completed.

“This exam is a thorough test of their competence and is the culmination of three years of study, which also includes meeting the requirements of the SVQ Level 3 qualification in marine engineering operations and the HND in mechanical engineering.

“I’ve been very pleased with the quality of students’ work throughout and am thrilled with their results.  I wish them all every success in their future careers.”

Siobhan Bradley from Lerwick is their first ever female engineer cadet to qualify.  Commenting on her achievement, she said: “It’s the best feeling ever.  The qualification has opened up a lot of doors for me and I intend to go back to sea to work as soon as possible.”

Michael Amedro from Lerwick is one of the two cadets who will return to work for his sponsor company.  He said: “I needed to pass in order to work for the company.  I plan to stay at sea and hopefully get my Chief’s ticket and this is the first step.  I’ve always wanted to do this and would recommend a career at sea to anyone.”

The other Merchant Navy Officer Cadets to qualify are Scott Williamson and Ross Pearson who are from Lerwick, and Graeme Mainland from Orkney.

Four external candidates, who had joined the cadets on their studies, were also celebrating last week.  One candidate from Shetland Islands Council Ports and Harbours Operations, two from Shetland Islands Council Transport Services – Ferries, and a fisherman from Banff all successfully passed this professional qualification.

NAFC Marine Centre director, Professor David Gray, added: “This is a great achievement and I’m delighted for everyone who has qualified.

“It is also very pleasing to see candidates from outwith Shetland choosing to study at the Centre, which demonstrates that our first class training is becoming increasingly well known further afield.”

Further information:

For further information, please contact: Roger Pascal, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772000, email info@nafc.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.nafc.ac.uk

Or, Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com or visit www.shaw-online.com