New partnership offers first foundation cadetship in Wales

The Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Pembrokeshire College, available to learners aged 16 and over, is designed to help them progress to a deck officer or engineering officer role.

Giuseppe Saieva, Deputy Director, Warsash Maritime School, says, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Pembrokeshire College, enabling young people in Wales the opportunity to take their first steps into maritime. The Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Pembrokeshire College is designed to prepare aspiring mariners, helping them to gain the skills and qualifications needed to progress directly to our industry-leading officer cadet training at Warsash Maritime School.”

The two-year programme encompasses marine engineering and maritime studies. Alongside the main programme, learners will also have an opportunity to achieve qualifications to help develop their sea legs. Fully funded by The Reardon Nautical Trust, they will also achieve a license to pilot a powerboat, learn how to navigate and how to operate a VHF radio competently. The Port of Milford Haven will be funding both the uniform and personal protective equipment kit for those undertaking the Pre-Cadetship at Pembrokeshire College.

On successful completion of the programme, learners who meet the entry criteria will be able to progress to the officer cadet training programme at Warsash Maritime School.

Pembrokeshire’s maritime heritage has diversified over the decades from fishing to downstream oil and gas, and now marine renewable energy. Pembrokeshire College is offering school leavers the skills that are in demand by the maritime sector and will be needed in Pembrokeshire within the next five years, with the emergence of offshore wind.

Anna Malloy, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager at the Port of Milford Haven, says: “For 65 years, maritime has been at the heart of Pembrokeshire’s economy, providing rewarding, well paid careers for thousands of people. In this time, the Port’s continued adaptation has facilitated the supply of energy to the rest of the UK and beyond – firstly from petroleum and more recently from gas - and we’re now entering a new era as we look to decarbonise and transition to a Net Zero future. Exciting opportunities lie ahead, and we’re delighted to partner with Pembrokeshire College as it supports our next generation workforce to develop the skills they’ll need to grab these opportunities with both hands.”

More information about the Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Pembrokeshire College can be found on their website.

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Image caption: (L-R) Celebrating the launch of the new Warsash Maritime School Pre-Cadetship at Pembrokeshire College: Giuseppe Saieva, Deputy Director, Warsash Maritime School; Kunal Anand, Deputy Director, Warsash Maritime School; Hayley Williams, Curriculum Development Manager, Pembrokeshire College; Lars Lippuner, Director, Warsash Maritime School.