UKSA targets the highest standards

New “Academy Grading” initiative will drive up standards, help students achieve their full potential, and provide the yachting industry with enhanced quality crew.

In response to growing demand by owners and captains for the highest industry standards, the UKSA has launched a new “grading” system that will enable the yachting industry to identify top performing students through attitude, competence and suitability for employment, as well as through courses attended and qualifications held.

The UKSA believes its new grading system – whereby Graduates will leave the Academy with a UKSA grade of Pass, Merit, Distinction (or Fail), as well as their certificates of competency – will spur tutors and students alike to strive to meet their highest potential and to gain a better understanding of the challenges inherent in today’s professional yacht careers.

The UKSA has actively sought industry advice and guidance to develop this new initiative. As a result, student commitment, application and competence will all be measured throughout the courses, utilising tutor reports and a series of written, oral and on-the-water assessments to grade seamanship skills and fitness for the industry. The assessment will also enable students to analyse and improve their performance throughout their training.

Cyd Mansell, successful and respected crew agent (Cyd Mansell SARL) based in Antibes commented: “I am delighted that the UKSA has introduced this additional aspect to its already great hard-skills training, it is unique and exactly what this demanding industry requires. With the industry’s increasing need for quality crew, the new system will provide all employers with both better prepared crew and with the information that is essential when selecting the right personnel for the specific yachts and jobs.”

UKSA Chief Executive Jon Ely commented: “The opportunities, and the challenges, of a career in professional yachting are evolving rapidly. The UKSA was the first organisation to develop a formal training model for yachting careers and we have always recognised the importance of developing that model to meet the requirements of the industry. With greater convergence of standards between yachting and the wider maritime industry, we see the time is right for a step-change in assessment. Our new grading scheme is just the first of a series of new initiatives to maintain the UKSA’s leading role in career training for the yachting and superyacht industry.”

The new grading scheme, launched on 1st October 2006, is now being implemented on all UKSA college courses.