Wednesday, 22 October 2008

NEW INTAKE OF CADETS AT NAFC MARINE CENTRE  

A total of 21 new students joined the Cadet Training Programme at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway this week.  The group, consisting of deck and engineer officer cadets, are undertaking the full-time course which lasts around three years, and expect to qualify in 2011.  They join the programme just as the 2005 intake have completed their training.

The Programme offers students the opportunity to undertake their training in Shetland; working towards professional qualifications, based on SQA Higher National Diplomas and Vocational Qualifications, in order to serve as officers on merchant vessels.

Jan Rigden, head of Shetland School of Nautical Studies at the NAFC Marine Centre, said: “We are delighted to have this new complement of students undertaking this year’s Cadet Training Programme with a total of 21 new starts – 11 of whom are from Shetland, with the remainder from Scotland, mostly from the Highlands and Islands.

“Achieving an equal balance of intake from Shetland and outwith is ideal; offering our own young people the opportunity to study at home, whilst at the same time giving them the chance to gain experience of living and working with students from other areas and backgrounds.  It also ensures that the student group is large enough to be financially viable with the additional benefit of expanding the awareness and reputation of the programme, and attracting students into Shetland to study at the NAFC Marine Centre.

“The course gives cadets the opportunity to put their theory into practice with alternating periods at sea and at college.  All cadets are employed or sponsored directly by a shipping company, ship manager or by other organisations acting on their behalf.  These organisations provide the sea service and support throughout the programme.

“Awareness of the Merchant Navy as a career is rising, with the STV series ‘The Merchant Navy’ currently running on Monday evenings and increased promotion through the Careers Scotland website and marketing campaign.

“We expect to build up the numbers on the programme over the next few years, with the possibility of a second intake in the future if the demand continues to grow.

“The Merchant Navy continues to offer great career prospects for both young men and women, and UK officers are very much in demand and have excellent prospects on qualification. Our next intake will start in September 2009, and we hope that any young people interested in a challenging career at sea will contact us in the New Year for further information.”

Further information:

For further information, please contact: Jan Rigden, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772000, email jan.rigden@nafc.uhi.ac.uk or visit www.nafc.ac.uk

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