A VOCATIONAL FIRST AT SOUTH TYNESIDE COLLEGE

Three officers trained at South Tyneside College School of Maritime Studies and Engineering, have become the first in the UK to follow an NVQ course from cadet to chief officer level.

11 February 2002

Three officers trained at South Tyneside College School of Maritime Studies and Engineering, have become the first in the UK to follow an NVQ course from cadet to chief officer level.

Chris Johnston, Andrew Wheatley and James Warnes, who have all attended South Tyneside College since commencing their careers in the merchant navy, have helped to pioneer the new type of training, which is seen by many as the future of marine education.

Under the new system, all cadets follow the NVQ route and gain their underpinning knowledge at South Tyneside College. They then spend time at sea in order to gain practical experience and develop their portfolios of work. The students then return to the College, where their portfolios are assessed.

The vocational route was launched six years ago as an alternative to the traditional academic route; it requires students to make practical use of their time at sea in order to demonstrate their abilities and personal development. The three students, who are all aged 23, have reached chief officer level in around the same time as those on the conventional course. Through their training at South Tyneside College, they have also gained an HND (Higher National Diploma) in Nautical Science.

Jeff Wilson, who is tutor on the course and helped to pioneer the vocational route at South Tyneside College, outlined the benefits for students. He said: The new training methods give participants the responsibility to observe and learn from higher-ranking officers. This not only encourages pro-active learning, it also helps to promote personal development and management skills, which are vital to long-term success in a senior post."

He added: The vocational route is not an easy one. It requires long-term commitment and motivation, combined with a lot of hard work. That these three have come this far, while pursuing a new training method, is testament to their ability and determination to succeed."

The new courses were developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) after consultation with shipping companies and training institutions, including South Tyneside College.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

A photograph to accompany this release is available by contacting Rob Lawson at robl@robson-brown.co.uk

South Tyneside College Marine School

South Tyneside College is among the worlds premier institutions for the provision of marine and offshore training. The College, based at South Shields in the UK, offers tailored courses for deck, engineering and electrical personnel, including full safety instruction facilities. Around 5,000 students each year attend the Marine School for full-time courses, with around 50% coming from overseas, representing 74 countries around the world. Staff are recruited from specialist sectors within the marine industry, bringing with them the knowledge and experience needed to ensure the highest standards of teaching. Companies who use the College for training include BP, Shell, P&O Nedlloyd, Clyde Marine and and a large number of companies from the Arabian Gulf and the Far East.

Issued on behalf of South Tyneside College by Robson Brown Public Relations

For more information contact:

Marine

Aston Bowles on (0191) 244 6663
Email: astonb@robson-brown
OR
Rob Lawson on (0191) 244 6662
Email: robl@robson-brown.co.uk   

General

Lesley Gosling on (0191) 244 6658
Email: lesleyg@robson-brown.co.uk
OR
Liz Simpson on (0191) 244 6659
Email: lizs@robson-brown.co.uk