Which companies should I apply to?

[pmcg]

Hi, I have recently applied to Clyde Marine Training with the intention of starting Deck Officer training in september 2013. I am looking for some advice as to which other companies I should apply to in order to study at City of Glasgow College.

Any advice or info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[CharlieDelta]

Hello and welcome!

Clyde is the main supplier of cadets to Glasgow, though you'll find the likes of SSTG will also send cadets there.

I'd recommend looking through the Glasgow college forum, particularly the roll calls, and seeing which companies people are sponsored by.

I'd also recommend considering other colleges as you'll find you'll have many more options. You're going to have to go away sometime!

Hope you find the site useful and looking forward to seeing you around!

CD

[alistairuk]

Hi, I have recently applied to Clyde Marine Training with the intention of starting Deck Officer training in september 2013. I am looking for some advice as to which other companies I should apply to in order to study at City of Glasgow College.

Any advice or info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

While there are, I guess, some benefits to studying close to home (I presume your reasons for selecting GCNS), I would suggest not limiting your options by only applying to companies that will send you to GCNS.

At end of day unless there is some underlying reason you want to go to Glasgow - it doesn't particularly matter which college you go to - you certainly won't be the only Scottish person at the others.

From a social aspect; As someone who attended University in Glasgow and commuted - the 1.5 hours there and back every day - you do miss out on quite a lot of the social aspects. I was sent to Warsash for my cadet ship and had a brilliant time - while it was a few years ago - a lot of people did go home at the weekends, but there was always around 10 - 20 people who stayed and that number increased as the phase went on until pretty much everyone was staying the weekends.

I mention commuting as I am making the assumption that is one of your reasons for wanting to goto Glasgow - while I don't know what the timetable is like, expect to be in 9 - 5 at least some days - particularly in the later phases - also most colleges (I presume Glasgow included) require phase 1 cadets to stay in their accommodation.

[New OOW]

Hello,
For starters I would apply to study engineering and not deck officer training if you want a job. There is a shortage of marine engineers, there is no shortage of deck officers (check out the Nautilus telegraph job section), the trade you will learn as an engineer can easily be used onshore, the pay is also higher for engineers and the majority of engine rooms on mdern ships are un-manned at night therefore you actually get to sleep at night and work during the day.
If anybody tells you it will be easy to get a job as a junior deck officer they are telling you lies.
The current UK training system is based around providing tax breaks for shipping companies and providing income to colleges by putting bums on seats and there is no reward for putting in any extra effort, its doesn't matter if you get 100% or simply get 1% over the pass mark and in any event the majority of sponsorship companies will NOT give you a job. There are a few exceptions for example RFA, Shell and B.P, they will probably give you a job after qualifing and because of this will actively take an interest in your training.
In summary:
1. Do marine engineering not deck officer training.
2. Apply direct to companies such as the RFA, Shell, B.P for deck or engineering training.
3. Try to avoid the training agencies (Clyde, Anglo, SSTG etc) but if you have to go to then be smart then try for the best companies within these groups (e.g. in Clyde go to Chevron not Zodiac, in SSTG go to SAGA not UASC, in Anglo go to Subsea 7 not PIL ).

If I had to turn the clock back a few years that is what I would have done!

[GuinnessMan]

Edit

[Pilot Chris]

Hello,
For starters I would apply to study engineering and not deck officer training if you want a job. There is a shortage of marine engineers, there is no shortage of deck officers (check out the Nautilus telegraph job section), the trade you will learn as an engineer can easily be used onshore, the pay is also higher for engineers and the majority of engine rooms on mdern ships are un-manned at night therefore you actually get to sleep at night and work during the day.
If anybody tells you it will be easy to get a job as a junior deck officer they are telling you lies.
The current UK training system is based around providing tax breaks for shipping companies and providing income to colleges by putting bums on seats and there is no reward for putting in any extra effort, its doesn't matter if you get 100% or simply get 1% over the pass mark and in any event the majority of sponsorship companies will NOT give you a job. There are a few exceptions for example RFA, Shell and B.P, they will probably give you a job after qualifing and because of this will actively take an interest in your training.
In summary:
1. Do marine engineering not deck officer training.
2. Apply direct to companies such as the RFA, Shell, B.P for deck or engineering training.
3. Try to avoid the training agencies (Clyde, Anglo, SSTG etc) but if you have to go to then be smart then try for the best companies within these groups (e.g. in Clyde go to Chevron not Zodiac, in SSTG go to SAGA not UASC, in Anglo go to Subsea 7 not PIL ).

If I had to turn the clock back a few years that is what I would have done!

I would disagree with your general outlook - I was a non-company cadet (Trinity House) and I had 3 offers of employment from the companies I sailed with and this was during a time of similar economic situations as now. As a deck officer if you stick the training out to Master level (and yes sometimes you may have to move companies a few times during this period) you will be rewarded greatly, my present employers are looking for 2 more Pilots and the salary is well over 150,000.00GBP a year working 1 for 1 and 6 weeks leave a year and this is seen as entry level terms and conditions over here in Australia.

To the OP - Please dont blinker yourself to 1 company at 1 college, it may be worth going to an open day at another college and research as many companies as possible!

Good luck!

[YoungMariner]

As a 28 year old deck officer, I can without a shadow of a doubt say there is no shortage of work, and certainly hasn't been in my short years at sea. Admittedly it gets easier the higher grade ticket you get. I have no regrets going the deck route, and as much as I like Guinessman I couldn't do his side for all the tea in china. (Some would say I'm too delicate).