Thursday, 20 May 2010
NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD AWARDS PRIZES TO NAFC MARINE CENTRE CADETS
This afternoon (Wednesday 19 May), two students studying at the Shetland School of Nautical Studies (SSNS) received the Northern Lighthouse Board Prize, which recognises academic achievement, excellence in assessment and/or project work and consistent professional performance by Merchant Navy Officer Cadets at the end of the second year of their training.
Liam Cumming from Hamnavoe in Burra and Derek Spence from Haroldswick in Unst each received a £1,000 prize at the presentation at the NAFC Marine Centre. The prizes were presented by former Chairman of the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses, Captain George Sutherland. Both cadets are sponsored by K Line through Clyde Marine Training.
Liam Cumming commenced training as a deck cadet at SSNS after obtaining a BA in Risk Management at university in Glasgow, having always dreamed of becoming a deck officer in the Merchant Navy. As a mature student, Liam has an excellent influence in the class and is a pleasure to teach, performing to an extremely high level in any task that he is set.
When Derek Spence commenced his training as an engineer cadet, he was too young to stay in the onsite accommodation on campus and had to live with relatives for the first four months of his training until he was 16 years old; despite this, he has consistently performed to the highest level, studying with diligence both in class and outside, and is a pleasure to have as a class member and student.
Captain George Sutherland said: “The Northern Lighthouse Board Prize represents a substantial reward to two exceptional students at the NAFC Marine Centre each year. This is the second time the prize has been awarded and I am again honoured to have been asked by the Commissioners to present the cheques on their behalf. These are worthy winners and I am sure that the link established between the Centre and the Northern Lighthouse Board will be of value to both; as well as to the prize winners, in years to come.”
The prize has been funded by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses 2000 Trust, which is a recognised Scottish Charity, set up in 2000 with the purpose to assist in the provision of training, education and support for Merchant Navy Officer Cadets. The criteria for the award, which has been given to one deck officer cadet and one engineering officer cadet, have been agreed between the School and the Trust. Selection was decided by recommendations coming from the teaching staff at SSNS to the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses 2000 Trust.
Commenting on winning the best deck officer cadet award, Liam Cumming said: “I’m delighted to win and will be spending the prize money on books and other materials to help me in my studies. I finish this phase of training today and will be going to sea shortly.
“I’d like to thank the Northern Lighthouse Board for their very generous prize and for recognising my achievements. I’d also like to thank the lecturers and my classmates at the NAFC for their support during the year.”
Winning the prize for best engineer officer cadet, Derek Spence added: “I’m really pleased to win this prize and will buy a new laptop to help me with my college work. I’ll continue my current studies at the Centre until July when I’ll be off to sea for the next phase of training.
“I, too, would like to thank the Northern Lighthouse Board for being so generous, as well as my lecturers and colleagues for their help and guidance during my studies.”
Jan Rigden, head of the Shetland School of Nautical Studies said: “I would like to thank the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) for donating these prizes to the Merchant Navy cadets studying at SSNS. It is pleasing, six years after the cadet programme started, to see the students we are producing being recognised across the industry and this NLB prize is the latest recognition of their professionalism.”
Speaking after the event, Professor David Gray, director of the NAFC Marine Centre, said: “These awards recognise the true excellence in the quality of the trainees that we send out into the workplace. There is no better praise than when companies come back to us and ask us for more students who are clearly flying the flag for the Centre.
“As well as the Northern Lighthouse Board, I’d like to give thanks to the staff for the hard work they put into the training. In my opinion, you’d be hard pushed to find a better qualified team than at the NAFC. I’d also like to thank the students who are committed and dedicated to doing this, as well as their families and friends – the support network who also want to see them reach their potential.”
Further information:
For further information, please contact: Jan Rigden, head of Shetland School of Nautical Studies, 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, email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com or visit www.shaw-online.com