CMT no longer doing HND?

[RNR]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

We started in Jan and we were told when we started that our course was now a HNC course. However, the course is 3 months shorter than the traditional HND course and we were told if your company is willing to pay for it you can stay on for an extra 3 months to complete the HND section. We were given a timetable which also seemed to confirm this.

[Brimbo]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

UPDATE: SSTG are now following this route and are soon to inform sponsoring companies, the decision with them is being put down to attendance, pass level and company decision.

[Rowdy]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Sooo whats the major differenance between HND/HNC? Same amount of sea time per course? Easier/harder?

[Steve]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

For deckies:

Sea time is no different as that is set by STCW requirements. HNC misses out some of the more advanced elements of navigation, stability, cargo as I recall, and without an HND you have to do the longer (9 month?) Chief Mate's course as opposed to the 3 month version (since you've not done the more advanced nav, stab and cargo as a cadet).

[steamer]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Hang on a minute!! Are we saying that current cadets are having their courses downgraded, because my training contract specifically says that I am to pass out with CoC and HND. I would argue, that if this were the case then Nautilus should get involved.

[RNR]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Well even though I hadn't started the course then to have it downgraded my orginal interview/college details said I would be doing the HND, only learned it would be the HNC about 2 weeks after I had started.

[steamer]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

What does it say in your contract?

[steamer]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Just had a look at mine and it is specific about qualifications, so I can only assume that these changes should only apply to new entrants?

[Brimbo]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

They apply to current cadets too, My class is 09NGA, so any in my phase/after that will have the same done to them im guessing, Jo Carroll told one of the cadets today that sponsoring companies will make there decision on the 20th of this month,
And for Nautilus, its a big possibility! I've not looked at my sponsoring contract but if it specifically says we should have the HND with no regards to finance situations then its dropping there end of the contract.

[steamer]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Exactly! I think I would be having serious words with my sponsor if I was downgraded.

Personally though, I think it's a great shame that the HND route is being closed, methinks it could end up biting companies in the bum at the end of the day!

[YoungMariner]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

I think this is a major mistake, forcing cadets into a situation that means they will have to do the 9 month Chief Mates course would seriously reduce the amount of people going up for Mates and Masters. Already with the 3-4 month SQA Course there is only a 30% pass rate, and a lot of people barely get sponsored to take the time off for that, nevermind asking a company to pay you for 9 months at college!!!!!!!
I do know that the Foundation Degree and HND systems were never truly for the benefit of the students, it was simply because if they ran the training through one of these recognised qualifications they were entitled to government funding, wheras if it was just a 'Deck/Engine Cadetship' with only the recognised MCA Qualifications no money would be granted from the Department for Education.

This is slowly going towards a cadetship route of Foundation Degree only with people requiring A levels to apply, which excludes a lot of people who would be quite good at the job.

[steamer]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

Quite right too....is it time for a petition/poll?

[Lewis]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

You would think it would be the opposite kick people off the Foundation degree course to save money on shorter courses.

[RNR]

Re: CMT no longer doing HND?

I've not got my contract to hand but I'm sure it said HND. Also, a point to note from what I've been told is that the HNC finishes 3 months earlier than the HND did. However, if your company is willing to pay for it, you can stay on after your HNC for the extra 3 months to gain your HND. Don't quote me on that but its how I deduced it after speaking to various people in the know.