Age - is this a barrier?

[Guest]

Good afternoon all,
I have just completed the online application for for Deck Officer Cadet on the Maersk website as I so much wish to change my career and head to sea!!!!

HOWEVER

I am 47...................am I really wasting my time? Is this a dream that will remain unfulfilled?

What does the collective think?
Cheers
Carl
PS - it will be a real bugger trying to find my original O and A level qualification certificates.........I havent seen or needed them in nearly 30 years!!!!!!

[Chiefy]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Wow, I guess the only answer will be wait and see, it is kinda late to be starting and I guess their worry would be can you afford to live on cadet wages for the 4 years, unfortunately you dont get paid more for being older.

Theoretically there isnt an upper limit, however in real life....dunno matey.........

Though I wish all the best and hope you'll stick around and let us know how you get one........and GOOD LUCK

[GuinnessMan]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

The oldest cadet I've heard about was 45 and he was an ex fire-fighter so obviously age isn't a barrier. I do know of one Motorman who started going to sea when he was 56 on the ferries.

Anywho, like Chiefy said, good luck!

[Jenn]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

one of the other cadets in my class at college is in his 50's

[eddiegrice]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

And there was me worried about going in at 27!! I guess in today's age of discrimination laws it would be difficult not to take on older cadets. Give it a shot and let us know how things go.

[carlmt]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Hmmmm - the cadet pay is one worry I must admit.... Will have to get the wife into a well paying job so that she can support ME for a few years!!!!!!!

I guess if she can get a post at a good school with accommodation, with me either at college or sea we will not need a house (we have a large motorhome) therefore no gas / electric / council tax etc. Can live in the motorhome between-times.......

Will be a drop in salary for sure BUT a tremendous improvement in job satisfaction (for me at least!!!).
Carl

[Beef1992]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

SSTG are known to take on the older cadets so send an application off to them

[carlmt]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Thanks for that Beef - will pursue SSTG also........

Will need to have a good think about the 'personal statement' - any ideas? It has been a while since I have had to 'push myself' like this.............been with the same company for the last 12 years an gained directorship through hard graft and experience.........without having to write something about myself!!!!!!!!!

As for the school qualifications - I am of the age of O and A levels and not GCSE's. And I no longer have copies or originals of my certificates (not that they were formal certificates in those days!!). Will this impair my application? Will they insist on wanting to see them.............after 30 years?????
Carl (originally carlmt2011 now just carlmt...)

[Chiefy]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Glad you joined "properly"

Hmmm have you some sort of record of your exams? Though if you opt for HND it may not be such an issue as for the FD route, as UCAS can be a bit beligerant about these things (18yo daughter can testify to that!!)

Failing that your old school may have records of you and your achievements and thus be able to make a certified copy or similar? Or maybe the exam board it self (if it still exists what with all the changes and amalgamations etc) failing that some colleges can give you "entrance" exams just to see where you are in terms of the course etc....

Going to be hard getting back into the swing of studying and the likes, and like I said before the money will drop from what you are maybe used to, another option (as such) might be to see about becoming an AB / Deckhand (seaman) and working up to officer through that route? That way you get to sea sooner and then can do quite a bit through distance learning and the likes.....not saying you should but it is another option to think about and I guess the money / leave might be better!

[carlmt]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Cheers Chiefy - studying does'nt faze me anywhere near as much as the interview!!!! Have been studying a fair bit in the recent past for my pilots licence (aircraft): 7 exams (one practical) all self taught. Just cant afford to keep flying though..........gained the licence.......fantastic feeling!!!!

Tried the school - no records back that far. The exam boards no longer exist........doing well so far am I not? I have HNC & HND already.........but in Building Studies (Architecture) - not much use on a ship!!!

I have my Inshore Yacht-Masters...........he he!!!
Carl

[Chiefy]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

He he he he

I guess you may just have to "wing it" (boom tish!) I guess apply and see what occours is going to be the best way to attack this.....not much help though is it?

[eddiegrice]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Well, for mostly every other college course, mature students are accepted on "merit". So, it is really all down to the interview and previous work experience. The colleges know themselves that checking pre-SQA qualifications is close to impossible so they handle admissions on a different set of criteria.

I would imagine things are going to work the exact same way here. The various training providers, etc, will know what to do in the situation...so I would just apply and follow the ride to see where it takes you.

[carlmt]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Thanks for the encouragement eddiegrice, I have applied via the Maersk website using their online form. It was 'interesting' completing the sections on my secondary school education as to when I sat my exams.........their standard drop-down list didnt go back far enough in years for me!!!!!!!

When might I expect a reply? I will also apply through SSTG tomorrow.............looks more inviting than CMT...

One thing - on the Maersk app form I was required to talk about myself in about 200 words. This may be sufficient for someone just leaving school with few years under their belts to have 'done something', but I found it very difficult to sum up over 40 years of experiences etc in such a short text. Hopefully with SSTG it will be a little easier as they allow up to 500 words.......he he he...

Been having a gander at some other posts on this forum - very very interesting!!!!!! Off to have a further rummage to see what I can find...
Carl

[Petew1992]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Glad you joined "properly"


Going to be hard getting back into the swing of studying and the likes, and like I said before the money will drop from what you are maybe used to, another option (as such) might be to see about becoming an AB / Deckhand (seaman) and working up to officer through that route? That way you get to sea sooner and then can do quite a bit through distance learning and the likes.....not saying you should but it is another option to think about and I guess the money / leave might be better!

How do you go about doing that?

[Chiefy]

Re: Age - is this a barrier?

Initially you would need to find a company willing to take you on as an AB and talk to them, but I would think they would need to see some commitment, so you would probaley need to do your EDH (efficient deck hand), Life Boat and other STCW courses, maybe even out of your own pocket.

Once taken on NUMAST and the likes offer sponsor ship and financial help for people wishing to convert from AB to officer.

Look at the Sailors Society web site ought to be some info there......again internet not man enough from here to search for you and point you in the right places (but home soon )