HRH The Princess Royal visits UKSA to launch unique maritime training degree
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has just renewed her patronage with UKSA, will visit the Academy in Cowes on Friday 8th June 2007 to officially launch UKSA’s brand new training program, a combined three year Yachting Cadetship and Foundation Degree (FdSc Operational Yacht Science). The new concept in marine training for the yachting sector will provide an excellent vocational career path for young people hoping to enter into the commercial yachting industry.
The unique training program has been created by UKSA in response to the international shortage of trained professional mariners in commercial yachting and to provide young people with a solid foundation for a long and successful career in the marine industry. UKSA identified an opportunity to combine its already successful three year Yachting Cadetship program with the FdSc Operational Yacht Science, awarded by Falmouth Marine School (part of the Cornwall College Group) which is affiliated to the University of Plymouth. The program provides students with relevant industry qualifications up to MCA Officer of the Watch, periods of paid work onboard large luxury yachts and a Foundation Degree. Upon successfully completing the course, students who wish to obtain a full BSc (Hons) degree in Marine Studies (Ocean Yachting), can do so by attending the University of Plymouth for a further year of study.
Commenting on UKSA’s unique new training program, Jon Ely, UKSA’s Chief Executive said, “We have developed the Foundation Degree program with Falmouth Marine School and the University of Plymouth to meet both the industry need for young professionals and to provide young people with a vocational career path to an exciting, vibrant and rewarding growth industry. UKSA has been highly successful in pioneering training for professional yachtsmen for 16 years and has identified both the need and the benefit to providing degree studies alongside professional qualifications and work experience. It is our intention that the new training program will make maritime careers more attractive to young people and their parents.”
The yachting industry welcomes UKSA’s latest development in training for maritime careers. Norma Trease, a director of the International Superyacht Society and editor-in-chief of leading industry magazine The Crew Report comments, “In a yachting environment where shipyards worldwide are trumpeting an ever increasing magnitude of yacht builds in both size and quantity, the critical shortage of qualified crewmembers continues to present a serious challenges for yacht owners, captains and industry leaders alike. Therefore, the creation of suitable education opportunities for both potential entry level crew, and the creation of advanced qualifications for senior staff can only benefit the entire industry. By adding the professional Foundation Degree program to their already successful Cadetship program, UKSA has taken a welcome and much needed leadership position to address the global crew shortage issue. At UKSA aspiring yachting professionals will have the best possible start on a long term yachting career by combining practical training, academic qualifications, industry experience and on the job training.”
UKSA is accepting applications for the combined Yachting Cadetship and Foundation Degree for intakes in September and April each year, places are currently limited to 10 places for each intake. More information about the training program can be found at www.uksa.org/foundation
The Princess will also be viewing Gipsy Moth IV, the vessel recently returned from a round the world voyage. Members of the Ellen MacArthur Trust, The Neighbourly Charitable Trust and The Brightside Trust will also be present to highlight the partnerships UKSA has built with other charitable organisations to provide opportunities for young people and those with disability through sailing and watersports.
British and American school children attending UKSA for residential watersports training will also be introduced to Her Royal Highness before she views UKSA’s engineering workshop and meets students on the Ocean Graduate training program before meeting members of UKSA’s Yacht Racing Academy and formally launching the UKSA’s combined Yachting Cadetship and Foundation Degree training program.