Maritime training and education charity UKSA has reported an increase of more than 50 per cent in the number of students receiving funding for its Superyacht Cadetship course, when compared to the average across the last five years.
For its 2022 intake, the Isle of Wight-based charity has seen 70 per cent of students receive an average of £8,000. This is nearly half of the funding required for the cadetship.
Available to those aged 18-25, the structured four-year programme, which this year sees 37 students start in September, is designed to train the future officers of the superyacht industry and was created with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It equips graduates with a strong foundation of knowledge, alongside offering a realistic understanding of what it takes to succeed in a career in the superyacht industry.
“UKSA is committed to making careers in maritime as accessible as possible, ensuring there are no barriers to those who wish to pursue a career in the industry,” says James Potipher, cadetship manager at UKSA. “The increase in the number of our students in this year’s intake receiving funding is a testament to this and we are delighted to be supporting these individuals.
“This course is a fantastic alternative to university and, uniquely, students earn while they learn so they can pay off their course fees while they’re working and training in the industry. The course is also inclusive of food and accommodation during the training phases, so we’re really making it available to as many young people as possible.”
Cadets also have the opportunity to undertake a Foundation Degree in Operational Yacht Science, awarded by the University of Plymouth, during phases one and three of the Superyacht Cadetship. The option gives additional careers and training pathways into different sectors in the maritime industry.
Earlier this year, UKSA reported a 108 per cent increase in the number of students choosing its Superyacht Hospitality training course in 2021 compared to 2019, with the average age of students reducing by nine years since 2015.
