A few companies

[TomB]

Hi all,

I have been looking into applying for multiple companies over the past week or so, especially James Fisher and Pritchard-Gordon. But I have heard many stories being thrown about, some about companies not being all they seem when you apply and Cadets being made redundant. So I just came to ask whether anyone knows of any companies to try and avoid applying to?

Thanks

[Lewis]

Apply to anyone and everyone. Can make your mind up when you get acceptances. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[Clanky]

^^^^This.

You will get more of a feel for a company and whether or not you will fit in at an interview so apply to as many companies as possible, go to as many interviews as possible and ask as many questions as possible at the interviews.

[noworries182]

This is a risk you face in any line of business is it not? I'd like to say that the bigger the company the less likely you are to be 'let go' but this isn't always the case. The likes of Maersk, Shell or BP aren't exactly going to go into admin and if they were they would probably transfer you to another company. I sailed with an officer who was let go by there company and Maersk took them on. If its a small family owned company like P.G. then it may be more likely to go bust HOWEVER this is just my view, a close friend of my mine works for PG tankers at the minute, they seem good, he loves working for them because hes in the Caribbean for 6 months of the year and he likes small tanker vessels.

also if you get invited to the interview i would go to them all, that way you get too see what each company is like and can compare them and how you are treated etc. best of luck and i hope you get the company you want! =)

[TomB]

Thanks for all the advice guys, certainly taken it into account and thanks for the good wishes

[Lewis]

This is a risk you face in any line of business is it not? I'd like to say that the bigger the company the less likely you are to be 'let go' but this isn't always the case. The likes of Maersk, Shell or BP aren't exactly going to go into admin and if they were they would probably transfer you to another company. I sailed with an officer who was let go by there company and Maersk took them on. If its a small family owned company like P.G. then it may be more likely to go bust HOWEVER this is just my view, a close friend of my mine works for PG tankers at the minute, they seem good, he loves working for them because hes in the Caribbean for 6 months of the year and he likes small tanker vessels.

Doesn't this cut both ways? Ie small companies have ore space to expand becong a bit of a fast track to promotion.

[noworries182]

Lewis, I couldn't agree more, after all every company is different and all companies had to start somewhere! =)

[danielbv07]

So I just came to ask whether anyone knows of any companies to try and avoid applying to?

Navalmar (UK) Ltd through either SSTG or Anglo-Eastern.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Hi Daniel,

I've got an interview with SSTG in a couple of weeks. Just wondering why you don't recommend Navalmar?

[danielbv07]

Hi Daniel,

I've got an interview with SSTG in a couple of weeks. Just wondering why you don't recommend Navalmar?

Hi Fergus, to the very best of my knowledge Navalmar has actually suspended cadet recruitment via SSTG. I won't go into too much detail, but I joined my first vessel with two other British cadets, one of whom was a fellow first trip cadet, the other was a cadet who had recently failed his orals. Both of us first trippers had resigned and disembarked by the time two months were up. During the same two month period three British cadets had been disembarked from another Navalmar vessel (for reasons unknown to me).

The only thing I would say is this; do your research (i.e. by talking to current cadets) before you make a decision. Good luck with your interview.

[HarmlessWeasel]

When you say resigned and disembarked, does that mean that you had such a rubbish time that you ended your placement early? Hope your next placement is a bit better!

[TomB]

Just want to thank everyone for the great advice they have given me as I have been offered a cadetship starting in February. Thank you so much everyone

[Clanky]

Just want to thank everyone for the great advice they have given me as I have been offered a cadetship starting in February. Thank you so much everyone

Good luck.

Hopefully you will be in a position soon to come back and give out some of the same advice that you have found so helpful.