Warsash Open Day
With 95% of the UK’s international trade arriving or leaving by sea, the shipping industry remains buoyant and the demand for qualified ships’ officers offers excellent career prospects for those entering the Merchant Navy.
Warsash Maritime Academy – a faculty of Southampton Solent University held an open day on Friday 21 January 2011 to showcase the lucrative opportunities available to college leavers and those looking for a change of career. The event attracted a record 750 visitors with people travelling from as far afield as Switzerland and Bermuda. Interestingly, 10% of the candidates were aged 30 or over – proving that this is not just a career choice for school and college leavers.
As well as information and talks there was the chance to take command of a ship ‘at sea’ on the Academy’s ship simulator, see how fires are fought on ships and observe a fly-past and winching demonstration by a coastguard helicopter.
Warsash Maritime Academy’s three-year cadet courses cover navigation (deck), engineering and electro-technical officer training. Course fees, with a salary or training allowance, are funded by shipping companies through sponsorship. Representatives from the companies – including Carnival (UK), Shell, Maersk and Princess Cruises – were on hand throughout the day to explain how it worked.
Director and Dean of Warsash Maritime Academy, John Millican, said:
“This year’s open day welcomed more prospective cadets and more sponsoring companies than ever before. This just goes to demonstrate how attractive the sponsorship package is to aspiring cadets, and that a career at sea is an increasingly popular choice for young people today.”
To find out more about careers in the Merchant Navy and the open day, visit the Warsash Maritime Academy website||.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE 023 8031 9040