WMA Open Day
With 95% of the UK’s international trade arriving or leaving by sea, the shipping industry offers excellent career prospects in the Merchant Navy.
Warsash Maritime Academy – a faculty of Southampton Solent University - held a hugely successful open day on Friday 20 January 2012 (10am – 4pm) which showcased the lucrative opportunities available to over 700 college leavers and those looking for a change of career.
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 works.
As well as information and talks, visitors had the chance to experience what it’s like to be the officer of the watch in the ship’s engine room simulator, see how fires are fought at sea with visual displays by the Fire School and observe a flypast and winching demonstration by a coastguard helicopter.
The overall tally of prospective cadets was 365, which together with family and friends meant that well over 700 attended the event. As we have come to expect, people came from all over the UK and some from even further afield. The distance record this year is held by a visitor who came up from Antibes! The extremes in the UK were Glasgow, Beccles and Penzance, with school parties coming from Ashford School and Pembroke, Salisbury, Eastleigh, Fareham and Bournemouth & Poole, Colleges.
Director of Warsash Maritime Academy, Andrew Hair said: “Shipping is a global industry that offers sponsored training leading to real jobs and exciting careers. The continued demand for qualified ships’ officers offers excellent prospects for those wanting to enter an exciting industry that beats the nine to five routine.”
To find out more about careers in the Merchant Navy click here|, and If you would like to register for the next open day in June please email emily.steel@solent.ac.uk| or call 01489 556272