06 September 2007
 

 
NEW INTAKE OF CADETS AT NAFC MARINE CENTRE
 

 

A full compliment of students joined the Cadet Training Programme at the NAFC Marine Centre in Scalloway this week.  A total of 24 students including 12 deck cadets and 12 engineering cadets are undertaking the full-time course which lasts around three years.

 

The Programme offers students the opportunity to undertake their training in Shetland; working towards professional qualifications, based on SQA Higher National Diplomas and Vocational Qualifications, in order to serve as officers on Merchant Vessels. 

 

Caroline Hepburn, cadet liaison officer at the NAFC Marine Centre said: “We are delighted to have a full compliment of students undertaking this year’s Cadet Training Programme with a total of 24 new starts –  12 of which are from Shetland, 11 from Scotland and one from Wales. 

 

“Achieving an equal balance of intake from Shetland and outwith is our ideal; offering our own young people the opportunity to study at home while expanding the reputation of the course to attract students into Shetland for study.

 

“The course gives cadets the opportunity to put their theory into practice with alternating periods at sea and at college.  All cadets are employed or sponsored directly by a shipping company, ship manager or by other organisations acting on their behalf.  These organisations provide the sea service and support throughout the programme.

 

“One of the new starts has already attended the NAFC Marine Centre and has successfully completed SVQ Level 2 in Fishing Vessel Operations while another has completed an induction to the Merchant Navy at Banff & Buchan College.” 

 

Port Arthur House accommodation block is at full capacity and, as a result, two of the existing residents from Whalsay (also deck cadets) will stay in bed and breakfast accommodation for the last two weeks of their college block to make room for the new intake. 

 

Notes to editor
 

To serve as an officer on a merchant vessel an appropriate certificate of competency qualification must be held. This is issued by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency in accordance with national and international requirements and all aspiring officers must attain it. A key route to attaining this certificate is to follow the NAFC Marine Centre’s Cadet Training Programme. This programme is approved by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB).

 

Further information:

 

Caroline Hepburn, NAFC Marine Centre, tel 01595 772216, email

Or

Isabel Johnson, Shaw Marketing and Design Ltd, tel 01595 692465, email