Qualifications for Cadetship

[SBunting]

I'd like to learn more about what you've all got in terms of GCSEs/A-Levels and how they stand in applying for a cadetship.

Hopefully this can be of help to others like myself who are weary of what the companies want and where they should point themselves when choosing A-Levels!!!

So this format would be easy to understand..

1. Applicant or Successful Cadet
2. List of GCSEs/BTECs & Grades
3. (if applicable) A-Levels/Sixth Form Qualifications
4. Remarks on the companies behalf regarding what you have (e.g. What is useful, were the grades up to their standards?)


Thank you in advance if you reply like this, again, this will help people who are applicants and decide how they can choose the right path toward a cadetship!

[Crawf121]

Successful cadet (jan 2014)
Screwed up royaly on my GCSE front, only got 5 above C NOT including Maths and Science. However this is advice to anyone who has cocked up like me, first of all i went to college to do a BTEC in leadership (worth 140 UCAS) then did something called Functional Skills maths + english (GCSE equiv) Then i went and did a foundation degree in naval architecture in order to get a good understanding on physics and maths. I then contacted Warsash who cross examined my qualifications and then sent me a letter i could attach to various applications.

So my advice would be, even if you have screwed up an unholy amount like me. If you want it bad enough...you can get it but it takes effort.

[size4riggerboots]

Successful cadet, applied Nov 2008, started Jan 2009
9 GCSEs: Physics, Design Technology and French (A*), Maths, English, Biology, Drama and Art (A), English Literature (B)
3 A-Levels: Physics (B) Art (C) Maths (D)
Sponsored by Trinity House, my 7 months on a Tall Ship helped enormously in the application, I tailored my CV to emphasise all the nautical stuff I have done, inc getting Day Skipper. I also wrote a cover letter giving more details about my sailing career to date and how it proved that I was determined and committed to a career at sea.

[bobofinga]

Successfull Cadet started 2009
8 Scottish Standard Grades (Same as GCSE) , As and Bs
6 Scottish Highers (same as A levels) AABBCC

Most companies specific if you have Maths and Physics you will be fine. I would say having studied Highers or English A' Levels you will have a better academic chance than somebody who left at Standard Grade/ GCSE Level.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Successful cadet, starting Sept 2013
6 GCSEs, Maths and Double Science - A*, English Lit and Lang - A, History - B
A Levels. Maths, Chemistry and Music - BAA respectively
Honours degree in Music (pending at the time of application)
Maths and Chemistry obviously helped massively. I was also able to explain and show lots of transferable skills from my music education including teamwork, self-motivation and criticism etc. Scouts for 8 years, youth projects, charity volunteering, watersports and instrumental teaching to students of all ages, sailing since uni. All helped to show I was dedicated, motivated blah blah you get the idea.
Maersk are very keen on good maths and social skills. They have their own personality test to see if you'll fit in

[Lewis]

Successful cadet, started Sept 2011, applied October 2010
8 SQA standard grades; 1 in Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Modern Studies (essentially politics with a bit of economics and international relations) and Computing; 3 in English and French. For our friends south of thee border standard grades are similar to GCSEs and are grader 1 to 8, 1 being best 7 and 8 being fails.
5 SQA higher stills; A in Chemistry and Biology; B in Maths, English and Modern Studies. Highers are similar to AS levels but are accepted for most university courses as advanced Highers, the equivalent to A Levels, are rare in Scotland. Consequently most Scottish university course run for 4 years not 3.
Bsc Biological Sciences
NVQ level 2 Customer service
NVQ level 3 Hospitality supervision
Various military qualifications from my time as a reservist. I emphasised these quite a lot especially Military leadership and development levels 1 and 2, Gunner command systems ( signals) and watermanship (driving rigid raiders and ribs).

I would take Maths and Physics A levels then use other subjects you take to keep your options open for doing something else. Do you have any second choices if you change your mind about doing a cadetship or it get changed for you?
Also picking up some hobbies is a good idea. Doesn't just mean sailing could be almost anything. Even a part time job with a good reference can help.

[Bulman]

1.Successful ETO Cadet, Started sep 2012, applied nov 2011.
2. 9 GCSE's : ABCCCCDF (maths and science C, Science was just one GCSE which involved all three subject. I know some people take triple science)
3. Higher Education: NVQ level 2, VRQ level 3 and advanced (which is what enabled me to take a FD course as I did a extra engineering fundamentals fast track unit), a few health and safety certificates of various kinds, first aid and PAT testing.

I was in army cadets, done Duke of Edinurgh bronze, bit of volunteering and had a job since from a young age and had kept at it. They said it showed dedication, good skills and qualities to have.

[Ratchet_Spanner]

I applied to as many companies as I could about mid December last year and I will start my cadetship this September.
My GCSE's were not a bad set of results. I got A's in History and Business Studies, B's in Science Double Award, Systems and Control Technology, English Language, English Literature and Maths.
I went on to study Psychology, History and Business at A-Level and managed to pull three C grades out of it. I really didnt want to attend sixth form though and my heart wasn't in it. It was a decision made for me.
After sixth form, knowing that University just wasn't what the 18 year old me wanted to do I started an apprenticeship in Landbased Service Engineering with Honda UK. Over the last 6 years I have completed both a Level 2 NVQ and a Level 3 QCF Diploma in Landbased Service Engineering which has allowed me to get on to the FD Engineering course.

My past experience and previous qualifications have certainly helped me set myself apart and without my engineering qualifications I don't think my previous A-Levels would have secured me a possition on the FD course.

[skodanorman]

I think I am already out of date with my experiences but I shall share them anyway. I've noted a steady increase of the "importance" of qualifications of applicants at enterance which does worry me. Being a sailor isn't about intelligence but about who you are as a person.

Anyway, I started in September 2007. I applied on the merit of my GCSEs (3 x A, 4 x B, 5 x C) as my AS levels were all failed. I don't think I even put them down on the form. Frankly I found the whole process very easy going and it seemed that they would take almost anyone. That said I was in their biggest ever intake of cadets (100+) so perhaps the Company weren't that choosy.

Don't be put off if you're not a total brain box. Demonstrate a keen work ethic and interest and hopefully they'll see that.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[Pilot Chris]

I think I am already out of date with my experiences but I shall share them anyway. I've noted a steady increase of the "importance" of qualifications of applicants at enterance which does worry me. Being a sailor isn't about intelligence but about who you are as a person.

Anyway, I started in September 2007. I applied on the merit of my GCSEs (3 x A, 4 x B, 5 x C) as my AS levels were all failed. I don't think I even put them down on the form. Frankly I found the whole process very easy going and it seemed that they would take almost anyone. That said I was in their biggest ever intake of cadets (100+) so perhaps the Company weren't that choosy.

Don't be put off if you're not a total brain box. Demonstrate a keen work ethic and interest and hopefully they'll see that.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Just to possibly look at another angle - the most academically challenging area is often at chief mate SQA level and a few of my mates winged in through OOW but academically struggled doing NAV and STAB at Chief Mates.

I know most companies look at the holistic view of the candidate (the type of person, attitude etc) but they also need to know that they will not struggle academically especially if they are looking to retain the candidate long term through the ranks.