Cadet programme expands
THE NAFC Marine Centre is expanding its merchant navy deck officer cadet programme with a second intake of deck cadets in February 2012, but is looking for local people to help provide accommodation.
The move will allow a further 12 deck cadets to enrol on the three year course to meet increasing demand from the shipping industry.
The expansion is mainly driven by the reputation the Shetland Schools of Nautical Studies (SSNS) has gained in the short time since the first cadets started their training in 2004.
Shipping companies are continuously asking for more recruits from Shetland to fill vacancies on their vessels.
To that end, Rod Mackenzie of Clyde Marine will be available at the NAFC Marine Centre on Wednesday 14 December between 10am and 3pm to discuss the cadet programmes with anyone interested in a career at sea.
However, in order to be able to teach a new intake of students, the Scalloway based college is appealing to the public to provide affordable student accommodation.
Head of SSNS, Jan Ridgen, said: “It is gratifying now that the hard work put in by the lecturers at SSNS and all the staff at NAFC Marine Centre is being recognised by the increased demand for our students across the marine industry, despite the recession which is affecting the whole country.
“There is now an opportunity for us to build on our success and further strengthen the foundations of maritime training at NAFC Marine Centre, which can only be good for Shetland in the long term.
“I would be very glad to hear from anyone in Shetland who has rooms or accommodation available which they would consider letting to our students, or who might be interested in making longer term plans to provide student accommodation at affordable prices in the future.”
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