2020 is proving to be a monumental year for UKSA, the non-profit maritime training charity based in Cowes in the UK. Having worked tirelessly to secure significant funding that has catalysed the organisation’s plans for expansion and improvement of facilities, the team are continuing to drive forward with their vision: to widen access to maritime training and to enhance life skills and employment.

The year began with the confirmation of a pledge of $1.9 million from the TK Foundation, closely followed by the announcement of a further grant of £300,000 from the Whirlwind Charitable Trust. Chris Riley, Chair of the Trustees of the Whirlwind Charitable Trust, says: “We have long supported the work UKSA undertakes and recognise the important value their programmes add to the lives of the thousands of people passing through their doors each year.”

UKSA’s Chair, Kevin George adds: “The whole team at UKSA is thrilled to be in receipt of such generous donations. Significantly, we can now press forward with building our new, modular accommodation. This will substantially increase the number of people accessing and benefitting from UKSA’s transformative programmes.”

The expansion is an urgent requirement as the demand for places at UKSA continues to grow. UKSA’s flagship programme, the Superyacht Cadetship, saw the highest ever number of cadets graduating earlier in the year. There is also growth at UKSA in hospitality crew training and continued professional development courses for more senior crew.

UKSA’s CEO, Ben Willows, says: “Those staying with us will benefit from an improved experience with configurable zones providing more flexible arrangements for all. The new facilities will unlock the potential to train more professional students as they progress their careers with us. In the last year, we welcomed over 10,000 students thanks to our recognition as the world’s premier maritime training provider and centre of excellence.”

Willows adds: “We are continuing to seek further funding to ensure we can continue to launch as many careers as possible. Our plans are unashamedly ambitious as we drive the organisation forward into the next decade and we hope you will continue to support us on our journey.”

The UKSA site will remain fully operational throughout the development works, with building work commencing in the latter part of 2020 and completion of the works planned for mid-2022.

You can find out more about UKSA here: uksa.org