V.SHIPS CADET PROGRAM –MY SEA PHASE EXPERIENCE BYNOAHROBINSON
In V.Group we fully understand the importance of well-trained seafarers, which is why we’re committed to recruiting and training cadets as part of our comprehensive career development programme. We run two programs, United Kingdom and International. Our current cohort includes over 1000 cadets from all over the world, undergoing training at all stages of cadetship. The UK cadetship programme currently has over 50 cadets. We focus on developing the skills, knowledge and competence of our recruits to be future officers, with training completed during both seagoing service and academia at maritime colleges and academies. To maximise their understanding within the industry, we aim for cadets to experience time onboard as many different ship types as possible throughout their cadetship. All officers onboard play an active role in the cadet development programme, while our UK shore based cadet training team, Florentina Peteu & Jemma Paterson actively manage the process. Our cadets are trained to have absolute regard to safety, security and the maritime environment, receiving mentoring and career guidance throughout their training with us. One of our Cadets, Noah Robinson tells us, in his own words, about his first Seagoing Experience. Hi, I’m Noah. I spent just over 5 months as an engine cadet on an LPG tanker Eco Loyalty moving around Europe all summer and I loved it! This was my first time working at sea, so I didn’t know it, but I had yet to encounter a new world’s worth of experiences in this industry. During my college phase, it was not uncommon to hear stories from other cadets or lecturers about both good and bad experiences whilst being away, but regardless, I most definitely felt I was in safe hands even if I was a tad anxious before leaving. Unfortunately, the stories which stood out were usually the ones from other cadets about them feeling neglected or not being able to cope with the workloads/ living conditions etc. For this reason, I tried to lower my expectations of entitlement for everything I was yet to encounter. My logic was that if I didn’t have a high expectation of entitlement then I would seldom feel let down or disappointed upon facing reality.
To my surprise upon arrival, I was given my own cabin on-board and even though I’m not picky with my diet, the food happened to be similar to the Caribbean soul food I was already used to from back home so needless to say I got on well with the chief cook. Nevertheless, the hard work soon began from day 1 and I knew it was only discipline and perseverance which could get me through my time onboard. It was much easier in thought as opposed to practice when anticipating long workdays followed by intense revision in the evenings and even more foreign to me was learning the fact that everyone else on-board had adapted to this lifestyle through speaking English as a second language. My respect had grown massively for individuals who had mastered my own newfound craft all entirely through vocabulary as a second language as I suddenly felt like my struggles were relatively miniscule compared to fellow colleagues. Upon arriving at a ship with no Wi-Fi and limited amenities, I used to count the days and add up weeks until I’d be back home to ‘normal’ life. However, my perspective soon changed when I was honest with myself and adapted to what was simply my transition into work life which was separated from home life. It was only at this point that time began to flow by more smoothly as I put less importance on being anxious to go home but instead decided to enjoy what was present knowing all circumstances were temporary and I would soon be looking back on this time reminiscing the fun times. I knew, when I came to the end of my original 4-month contract, that I’d be calling Jemma and Florentina begging for more time on-board, extending my time spent to about 5 and a half months in total!
16 SEAS MAGAZINE // ISSUE 5
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator