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**steamer** · 26 August 2010, 08:41 AM

Re: Career path....at any age?

You have every chance of obtaining sponsorship, many of us are older cadets on this forum and have overcome the age issue very well. Once upon a time, the cadetship route was primarily a school leavers path; however, now many companies are actively responsive to those with a developed work ethic and a bit of experience. Go for it!!

**Chiefy** · 26 August 2010, 09:31 AM

Re: Career path....at any age?

Hear Here

As one of the school boy entrants it is odd at 39 to see cadets turning up who are cadets at the age I was a Chief HOWEVER I welcome you and them with open arms, as generally they (you) have "more to loose" which may not be the right pharse but you know what I mean and to a rule know what is required for your education and how much work to put in etc, the companies are even boxing clever and sending cadets in tug and tow configuration, older and younger, int he hope one rubs off on the other......ermmmmm does that sound wrong to anyone else?!

But for the schoolies joining straight in from school there is a place for you too, otherwise the age profile will be all wrong, not all us doddery old farts will alst forever, though I do intend to last a good while yet

**MEJG** · 26 August 2010, 09:40 AM

Re: Career path....at any age?

you have an excellent chance of gaining a sponsorship in the MN with any number of companies!

I know for a fact that Maersk had accepted cadets for 2010 intake as old as 36, with experience ranging from the police all the way through to ex RN and even former construction workers.

Any company in there right mind would snap someone as experienced as you up and would very likely be willing to put you through to the BEng course due to the level of your experience.

Attitudes are changing towards the age of cadets with companies realising more and more that experience and age brings wisdom and durability. An older cadet is less likely to drop-out and waste any initial investment before the company gets it returned in the tonnage tax.

http://www.careersatsea.org.uk - it's certainly worth applying to any company which takes your interest.

**dawg** · 26 August 2010, 10:09 AM

Re: Career path....at any age?

Originally posted by Chiefy

I welcome you and them with open arms

He does, you know.

There are a few cadets just older than you starting this year, so don't be put off. You do have to sell yourself differently though... and I think sponsors want to be convinced that this is part of a grand plan of yours, and not just the result of a bad day at work or home.

If you want to go down the Electrical route, then I would suggest only applying for those positions... applying for both kinds of engineering IMO will make you look unconvincing. Having site experience is no disadvantage, but you will need to convince that you can cope with the maths... check the wiki links to get a feel for it.

Other offshore stuff would be Modern Apprenticeships... OPITO Upstream MA; and a Exxon down south offer some traineeships - similar pay and conditions to the MN cadetship. You can't really do any of this stuff "independently" IMO.

**reddevil** · 26 August 2010, 02:54 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

thanks for all the information and the comments have been positive, I know it may not lead to anything yet there is a possibility and that's reassuring.
Whats the best route in? Writing to the companies listed on the websites? I've already done that and am waiting for replies.
In the meantime is there anything pro-active or in addition to that I could be doing.

**dawg** · 26 August 2010, 05:30 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

join a merchant navy charity and help see to old sailors?!
do some RNLI type stuff?
depends on the time scale...

companies should have app forms online or that you can request. you don't need to go on about your age.

**fantana** · 27 September 2010, 09:21 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

If you move to Ireland and go to the NMCI you do not need to have a sponsor. Anyone can enter as long as you have enough leaving cert points ( Irish A levels). In fact if you are a decky you will not get sponsored until you have completed one year in the college and two for engineers. Now there's commitment for you. Us Irish have to row our own boat for a while before we get sponsored.

**penfold** · 27 September 2010, 10:43 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

I was 30 when CMT pushed a training contract into my sweaty paws and invited me to give up 18 months of my life in exchange for a EOOW ticket, a cheap ballpoint pen, a boiler suit, tackety boots and a CMT-branded carrierbag. All this and money too!

**chris** · 29 September 2010, 05:10 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

I'm a 30 year old ETO cadet feel free to PM me. I can report back from STC that I'm the 3rd oldest cadet here.

There is a 40 year old in my class and a 32 year old studying Engine. Its a bit hard respecting all the petty rules in halls, but I've had no troubles fitting in with the younger students, although they have restarted my student binge drinking ways.

**coldo** · 30 September 2010, 09:24 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

Chris is really old folks, he tries to fit in but he struggles to keep up with us young champs when it comes to the drinking!

I can confirm the above though, Chris being 30(so he tells us) and another fella in the class being 40. Also joining at the end of October are 2 fast-track ETO's, one who is 38(i think), he has a fair bit in the way of qualifications and experience in electronics/electrics too.

So age is no object it seems.

**chris** · 2 October 2010, 12:19 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

Don't listen to Coldo...

I've perfected the pint of Fosters followed by a shot of absinth routine, sober to steaming in a few hours.

Chiefy - I need to change the batteries in my wireless keyboard, making too many typos

On a more serious note, outside of the cruise ship world I've only seen job adverts for ETOs and senior ETOs rather than 4th,3rd,2nd engineer etc so assuming that it takes 5 years or so post ticket experience to be classed as senior, there is going to be quite an age range for people working in this role.

**Chiefy** · 2 October 2010, 02:56 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

sober to steming????????

okay well us profesionals get steaming

**TheIrish** · 2 October 2010, 04:28 PM

Re: Career path....at any age?

Originally posted by fantana

If you move to Ireland and go to the NMCI you do not need to have a sponsor. Anyone can enter as long as you have enough leaving cert points ( Irish A levels). In fact if you are a decky you will not get sponsored until you have completed one year in the college and two for engineers. Now there's commitment for you. Us Irish have to row our own boat for a while before we get sponsored.

Thats Why I was smart and moved to England to get a sponsorship from the start lol

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