Warsash Maritime School strengthens ties with Brockenhurst College

Warsash Maritime School, part of Solent University has announced a new agreement to strengthen its existing relationship with Brockenhurst College.

Following approval by both partners, the popular pre-cadetship programmes at the further education institution are being rebranded the Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Brockenhurst College.

The new title is designed to increase awareness of the pathway which exists for learners from Level 2 (GCSEs) through to fully funded degree-level maritime officer training at Warsash.

This September 160 officer cadets joined the School, including a number from Brockenhurst, embarking on a programme of study including both academic qualifications (at HND, Foundation Degree or Hons. Degree level) and the professional certification required to work as a deck, engineering, or electro-technical officer in the Merchant Navy or on superyachts.

The Head of Curriculum overseeing the Pre-Cadetship courses at Brockenhurst College, Lesley Chantler, says: “This is a very proud moment for all staff involved in delivering both our Pre-Cadetship courses.

“It’s a validation of all their hard work that a maritime school of Warsash’s standing would associate itself with the training routes we provide.

“Since launching our first Pre-Cadetship course back in 2020, we have provided around 50 very able cadets with full shipping industry sponsorship to our new colleagues at the School.”

World-renowned for its academic learning and industry training excellence, Warsash Maritime School has a long history of preparing officer cadets for careers in the Merchant Navy and on superyachts.

As well as providing a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, Warsash offers more than 150 accredited deck, engineering, interior, maritime and offshore safety training courses -approved by the MCA, MNTB, OPITO, SIGTTO, SQA and other awarding bodies. It is also renowned for its maritime research and consultancy in key industry areas including decarbonisation, digitalisation, and autonomy.

It has worked closely with the college for many years, arranging campus trips and outreach initiatives for pre-cadets at Brockenhurst.

Deputy Director at Warsash Maritime School, Giuseppe Saieva, says, “We’re delighted to be further enhancing our longstanding partnership with Brockenhurst College, enabling young people in Hampshire and the surrounding areas the opportunity to build the very best foundations for future careers in maritime.

“The newly renamed Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Brockenhurst College will provide learners with greater confidence and the skills and qualifications to take the next steps to become a maritime officer in the Merchant Navy or on superyachts.

“We look forward to welcoming the new pre-cadets to Warsash Maritime School and our industry-leading officer cadet training programme.”

Solent University recently celebrated a triple Gold Award for its Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) submission – a rating that reflects the typically outstanding quality of its student experience and student outcomes.

Brockenhurst is one of the only handful of UK colleges to offer pre-cadetship courses for the Merchant Navy. Students secure sponsorship with commercial shipping companies during their studies, who then pay for the next stage of their education such as at Warsash Maritime School.

Past Pre-Cadetship learners from the College have gained sponsorship with leading organisations including Carnival UK, Just Be Maritime, Ship Safe Training Group, Princess Cruises and Chiltern Maritime.

In 2023 Brockenhurst College was one of three finalists for the Best Maritime Training and Education Programme Award at the National Maritime SME Awards in London.

This partnership between Warsash and Brockenhurst College is a great example of the collaboration between education partners of the South Coast Institute of Technology, who are working together to ensure clear and coherent career pathways into the Maritime, Engineering and Digital industries. Along with over £13m of capital investment, these collaborations are inspiring people to join dynamic talent pipelines and deliver real-world technical learning in industry-standard facilities.