As a leading maritime training provider and charity, our funding supports the next generation of motivated and talented young people to embark on long-term careers. With an active network of supporters and donors we can continue to widen access to employment in the maritime industry to as many young people as possible.
Funding is available to 17-25 year old career students in financial need. Our range of funds and bursaries are available dependent on circumstances, the course you would like to pursue and your career pathway. Our course advisors will assess your eligibility, advise you on how much funding support is available and can help you with applications.
Joe Burnip’s dream of working in the superyacht sector became a reality thanks to hard work, determination and funding from Seafarers UK and the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Joe is one of our many Superyacht Cadetship students who is earning and learning during the four-year programme to solidify his position as a valued crew member on board a luxurious superyacht. He will be able to pay back his funding in a relatively short period of time thanks to the level of earnings available in the sector.
After finishing her A levels, Holly Hunt began a psychology degree at university. Before long she realised that she no longer wanted to be in full-time education so decided to pursue a career on the water. Holly knew several people who had trained at UKSA, then going on to work in the superyacht industry.
Holly took our Superyacht Crew Training programme, followed by our Watersports Instructor Training course, funded by the Milo Hanlon Bursary. She is currently working on a 50-metre new-build superyacht as a deckhand/stewardess, with plenty of opportunities for watersports instruction as part of her role.
Bethany Williams knew a 9-5 office job wasn’t the right role for her, so enrolled at UKSA when she left school at 16. She started her journey with us by undertaking the BTEC Level 2 in Sports and Physical Activities, followed by our Watersports Instructor Training.
Bethany then moved on to our Professional Yachtmaster Offshore qualification with partial funding from the Noel Lister Memorial Fund. She is now working as a flotilla skipper in the Mediterranean, taking people on sailing holidays.
Elliott McCreery was working as a forklift driver and warehouse operator before attending our 10-week Watersports Instructor Training course in partnership with leading activity holiday provider Neilson.
On successfully completing the partially funded course, Elliott was guaranteed employment for two seasons with Neilson at one of their resorts in Greece, Sardinia or Croatia. Elliott was taught by Neilson instructors and UKSA’s lead instructors, with all tuition, flights, transfers and accommodation included in the course fee.
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.
Daisy McDonnell -Graduate/SY Cadet – Phase 1
