UKSA Yachting Case Studies
When we speak to our graduates and ask them what most influenced them to book with us they nearly always say our global network of contacts and the prospect of jobs. They often mention the quality of the training, the facilities, the staff and the qualifications, but above all else it is access to the jobs that they value the most.
We have selected a number of case studies not because they are necessarily the best but because they demonstrate the variety of job opportunities and career paths available.
Dee Caffari
Professional Yachtmaster Graduate
Previously a PE Teacher, Denise completed her training with five job offers. Denise joined the BT Challenge Yacht Group 4 as Crew and after only three months in the role was promoted to Skipper. Dee has recently passed her Yachtmaster Ocean practical exam. Dee is currently embarking on a attempt to become the first women to sail solo, non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and currents in the Aviva Challenge.
Andy and Jules England
Yachtmaster Professional Course Graduates
Andy is a qualified chartered engineer and has worked as a railway engineer for the past 10 years and decided that enough is enough and wanted out. His wife Jules has been working for Challenge over the past few years as corporate crew and they have now decided that they want to combine forces and work together. On successful completion of the course in August 2005 they landed a job together working for the Moorings in the Caribbean.
Adam Hart
Yachting Cadet Graduate
Adam Hart is our second Yachting Cadet out in the industry working his first placement onboard a 192ft motor sailor as deckhand. He has recently completed his first charter and the Captain has informed us that he is extremely happy with his performance. Adam is also enjoying his first experience of working in the yachting industry. He is due to come back for his MCA training sometime in the latter part of 2006.
James Richards
Motor Yacht Skipper Training graduate and UKSA Graduate of the Year 2004
"Hi Annette, The boat I am relief engineer on is a Mangusta 108' Twin Turbine with water jets (100 tons/50 knot top speed), what a piece of kit!. I'm still buzzing after having the chance to play with 8000 HP of jet fighter turbines, and then on top of that I got the day off on Sunday and watched the Grand Prix from the middle of Monaco harbor, not bad for my first week on the job! Please pass on my best regards to everyone at the UKSA."
Update:
James is now working full time skippering a privately owned 90 ft Sunseeker based in the South of France.
Katherine Bruce
Yachtmaster Professional Graduate
Katherine Bruce had an engineering background and was Safety Components Project Engineer (airbags) for one of the top luxury car manufacturers based in the UK. Katherine's desire was to work on board a high performance yacht. Before finishing her course, the careers team put her forward for a 1st Mate position on board Sunsail's America's Cup boats France 1 & France 2. She was offered the job and started less than a week after completed her Yachtmaster.
Rob McInally
Ocean Graduate
Rob came to UKSA in 2006 and undertook the Ocean Graduate Programme. He is 34yrs old and prior to coming to the UKSA for training Rob was in the Royal Navy. Over the years, he has many experiences in sailing various regattas on a number of different yachts. When he finished his training at UKSA he found employment with the Challenge Business working as 'Mate', entertaining corporate clients and training the new, round the world hopefuls.