BUMPER INTAKE OF NEW CADETS AT SOUTH TYNESIDE COLLEGE

Some 102 of them are engineering cadets, 71 are deck cadets and 36 are training to become electro-technical officers (ETOs).

The ETOs and engineering cadets will study for three qualifications: an NVQ Level 3 in Marine Vessel Engineering, an HND in Marine Engineering and the Engineering Officer of the Watch certificate. In addition, the ETOs will work towards certificates for GMDSS* Radio Maintenance and Electrical Navigation Equipment Maintenance.

Successful deck cadets, meanwhile, will achieve an HND in Nautical Science, a Deck Officer of the Watch certificate and NVQ Level 3 in Marine Vessel Operations.

Courses last up to four years and follow similar patterns of periods at the College and practical experience gained at sea. The number and duration of periods and the time needed to gain certification depends upon the discipline being followed and the cadets sponsoring company.

Cadets come to the College primarily from the UK, Middle East and Malaysia, and most of the cadet UK sponsoring companies and organisations have cadets at the College.

South Tyneside College has a long and excellent reputation for marine training and were delighted that clients are now placing cadets with us in ever greater numbers," said Roger Johnson, Head of Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Companies have a great incentive to train cadets in recent times following the introduction of the Tonnage Tax which offers tax concessions for training."

ENDS

*GMDSS stands for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System which is an automated ship to shore distress alerting system that relies on satellite and advanced terrestrial communications links.