Merchant Shipping Jobs Case Study:Robert explains how he chose to do and HND in Engineering as a trainee officer for a tanker and cargo shipping company.
I have always wanted to be an engineer but living in the North East with so much manufacturing industry in trouble, it seemed unlikely that I would be able to start training with a company that would still be there when I was due to finish! Going to university was a possibility because I had the right A levels for a place - Maths, Physics and Technology - but I wasn't sure I would get a qualification that would be in demand and thus guarantee me a job. So I was running out of options!
I am interested in sailing so finding out what the career prospects were in merchant shipping seemed like a good idea. The minimum entry was 4 GCSEs levels A-C in Maths, English, Science, and any other subject. I completed an internet search and came up with several options. I contacted SSTG they invited me for interview. At the interview they explained everything, they made sure that I chose the right company to sponsor me and took care of all the arrangements. At that time there was only the HND route available, now I believe there are 4 routes, HNC, HND, Foundation Degree and Honours Degree. It's hard to believe you can get somebody to pay for your degree especially when you hear of people running up debts of over £30,000.
The Training
I am enjoying my training. It is only natural I suppose to prefer the time spent at sea to the time in College because that is where I will be when I finish training.
The work of an engineer trainee officer is very hands on, particularly on smaller ships, but this builds up your self confidence. On one occasion I was able to help with major work on a cracked sump: I felt then that I was learning about real engineering and also gaining in responsibility. I have had two sessions in college with one more to complete. The work is demanding and more concentrated towards the end of the phases.
Perhaps the workload could be more evenly spread. Phase 5 is going to be tough with deadlines to meet and exams every week, but I know it will all be worth while because I have a target: to get my first qualification and get back to sea as an officer. Then I will get some real savings in the bank! Later I can work for further qualifications and hopefully progress in seniority.
I work for a company operating medium sized product tankers and dry cargo ships of 3 to 4000 tons around the UK and the west coast of Ireland and also to north-west Europe. So far I've spent my time at sea on product tankers carrying high value refined products like kerosene and lubricating oil. Before I went on board I expected the ships to be very large: you see films made on huge ferries and cruise liners and expect them all to be like that, and of course they are not. The reality wasn't a problem; as soon as I got down to the engine room the whole thing came alive for me. It is very exciting to be an engineer. There tends to be less automation on smaller ships but that is an advantage when you're training because there is more practical work to do. Once the officers and crew know they can trust us we get involved more and are given greater responsibility.
I enjoy my leave, which for me works out at three to one that is one week's leave for every three at sea. In practice, I'm at sea for about eight weeks at a time but in port almost every other day. Officers in my company have a duty/leave entitlement of 2 for 1 so there is an incentive to get my officer's Certificate! I believe a lot of companies now do 1 for 1 so you only work 6 months per year.
The Future
The company seems to be expanding, which is good for me. All operations appear to be very well managed and we are fortunate to have a Training Manager who has everyone's best interest at heart. So you could say I am happy to be at sea and have definitely made the right decision. Some of my friends at university struggle to make ends meet and I know of people who seem to be on other schemes forever with nothing at the end of them. I seem to manage very nicely even though I am only training. I run a good car and as I'm an engineer and interested in car maintenance, I can look after it myself. I know the skills I'm acquiring and the qualifications I'm studying for are in demand, so I feel very confident about my future.
