Am I too late?

[Elitejcx]

I've been working with the logistics side of DFDS/Maersk for the past 12 years from the age of 16 and I'm looking for new challenge. I've applied before and have been rejected on the grounds that my Maths was not up to scratch. However, I've now been offered places at two separate colleges for two separate courses (an access to engineering course and a Higher Maths class).

Which would be more beneficial and looked upon more favourably if I were to seek a Engineering cadetship?

If I were to successfully complete one of the courses, I would be 29. Is this too late for a cadetship?

[alistairuk]

I've been working with the logistics side of DFDS/Maersk for the past 12 years from the age of 16 and I'm looking for new challenge. I've applied before and have been rejected on the grounds that my Maths was not up to scratch. However, I've now been offered places at two separate colleges for two separate courses (an access to engineering course and a Higher Maths class).

Which would be more beneficial and looked upon more favourably if I were to seek a Engineering cadetship?

If I were to successfully complete one of the courses, I would be 29. Is this too late for a cadetship?

If the requirement is for mathematics then I would suggest you are going to require that course to be accepted onto a cadet ship.

While there is a shortened engineering cadet ship for graduate entrants with a relevant engineering degree, I wouldn't think (I could be wrong) that the course you're referring to above would meet those requirements and likely you will still require mathematics. Although possibly it leads on to a degree course in engineering? An options I guess you've maybe looked at, even if it would be a rather long way round.

As for age, while you'd be older than most cadets you certainly wouldn't be the oldest in your year group.

[Elitejcx]

If the requirement is for mathematics then I would suggest you are going to require that course to be accepted onto a cadet ship.

While there is a shortened engineering cadet ship for graduate entrants with a relevant engineering degree, I wouldn't think (I could be wrong) that the course you're referring to above would meet those requirements and likely you will still require mathematics. Although possibly it leads on to a degree course in engineering? An options I guess you've maybe looked at, even if it would be a rather long way round.

As for age, while you'd be older than most cadets you certainly wouldn't be the oldest in your year group.

Cheers!

I've actually had a few encouraging conversations with a couple of companies recently. I was even told today that there would be a slight chance, if I was willing, getting a deck officer cadetship place due to the time I've spent employed with DFDS and Maersk.

[ETwhat?]

Personally I would say go for the math course, if when you look at other companies requirements and math is the one your missing then its an obvious choice, the access to engineering could be good, but at the same time the cadetship is based around having zero knowledge (to a point) but what you would be having to prove is that the engineering course covered a suitable amount of math and at the right level, not always the easiest to do

Alo might be worth working out if its deck or engine you want to do not just based on what someone will offer you

[Elitejcx]

Personally I would say go for the math course, if when you look at other companies requirements and math is the one your missing then its an obvious choice, the access to engineering could be good, but at the same time the cadetship is based around having zero knowledge (to a point) but what you would be having to prove is that the engineering course covered a suitable amount of math and at the right level, not always the easiest to do

Alo might be worth working out if its deck or engine you want to do not just based on what someone will offer you

The deck officer thing was from a suggestion I had from a company on a phone. I was actually originally employed as an apprentice industrial electrician with Norfolkline (Maersk). However, they couldn't offer me a suitable environment for training so I was given another job somewhere else in the company. It's always been a thing I've wanted to get back into.

[Sarah]

The access to engineering course may contain some module/relavant higher maths anyway. Depending on how much/what level its at it might be just as good. If you pick the engineering you'll be getting a load of other good info that will more than likely help you during the cadetship.

[Blondie]

Don't worry about age, I started my cadetship at 34 and there are plenty of older cadets both on this forum and at the various colleges.

[Hatchorder]

My first thought is that age is not a problem here at all so dismiss that as not important.

Next, you say you might get a Deck Cadetship based on your time with DFDS / Maersk. There will still be a maths requirement for that and I do not believe that there is a difference between the two so you will be in the same position.

Next, would second best be good enough? Sounds like Deck is not your first choice so go with your passion.

Finally, most of the colleges have their individual entry requirements for courses and so I think that the Engineering Course will still not compensate for the Maths and therefore personally I would go for the Maths course. You will benefit more because an Engineering Cadetship will teach you everything you need to know on the engineering side.

All just personal opinions - Hope it helps.

Ian

[Elitejcx]

My first thought is that age is not a problem here at all so dismiss that as not important.

Next, you say you might get a Deck Cadetship based on your time with DFDS / Maersk. There will still be a maths requirement for that and I do not believe that there is a difference between the two so you will be in the same position.

Next, would second best be good enough? Sounds like Deck is not your first choice so go with your passion.

Finally, most of the colleges have their individual entry requirements for courses and so I think that the Engineering Course will still not compensate for the Maths and therefore personally I would go for the Maths course. You will benefit more because an Engineering Cadetship will teach you everything you need to know on the engineering side.

All just personal opinions - Hope it helps.

Ian

The Deck Officer route was suggested to me by two companies on the phone if I could prove my current job could be used as applicable working experience to that side. My current job consists of basic arithmetic, route planning all within a time constraint, weight distribution and a little bit of staff organisation. I also have a load of licenses such as HGV, Reach Truck, IPAF and an IOSH in Health and Safety, though I've been told that these don't really count for anything.

I find myself in a kind of limbo, I was never really bad at maths and could get by at SQA Intermediate 2 level with no real difficulties such as passing nabs and getting an As in prelims. The thing was I started a job with Maersk (Norfolkline) during the time of the actual exams and I didn't really see the point in studying when I was already in employment. My apathy towards the exams was so bad that my mother actually had to convince me to take two hours off of work to sit them and being a stroppy teenager, I put in little to no effort in it which would obviously result in a fail somewhere.