Daisy McDonnell

Determined superyacht Cadet graduates

Cadetships at UKSA enable determined young people seeking a career in the superyacht industry to gain a competitive edge over others looking for similar employment. Our Superyacht Cadetship provides high-quality vocational training and offered a lifeline to one of our hard-working phase one cadets, Daisy McDonnell.

What attracted you to yachting?

After suffering some considerable personal adversity, Daisy enrolled on the Princes Trust Team programme and received a grant to begin an apprenticeship as an outdoor instructor working with disadvantaged children. She decided then that she wanted to progress into yachting and discovered UKSA. She secured funding from Seafarers, Milo Hanlon, TK Foundation and Stephen Thomas and now has an amazing career ahead of her. Daisy shares her story:

“After enrolling with the Princes Trust I became so much happier in myself and manage to gain various watersports and climbing qualifications, and since studying at UKSA I have developed even more new skills, new confidence and new passions. I am now sitting my RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and aim to have completed my RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and Divemaster within five years. The UKSA training programme is specifically designed to prepare you for the industry and has offered me a great career path.

What have you learned on the Superyacht Cadetship course?

Since beginning this course I have learned all sorts of things, including jet skis and firefighting. UKSA has a fun and inclusive family vibe with a huge support platform and potential for networking. I am surrounded by like-minded, happy people and am living at sea, in my element and have learnt to accept my past. Once I’ve finished the course I will be moving to Antibes to look for work.

“Anyone considering a Cadetship, I would say bite the bullet! It’s hard work but it really does pay off.”

What are your top tips to someone following in your footsteps?

If I was to advise anyone considering a Superyacht Cadetship, I would say bite the bullet! It’s hard work but it really does pay off. There are long-term benefits of permanent friendships, excellent qualifications and networking potential – being a UKSA cadet has already generated interest in me from some prestigious yachts and crew.”

To find out more about our Superyacht Cadetships please visit https://uksa.org/course/professional-training/superyachts/superyacht-cadetship-course/