Course description
The maritime sector is a growth area within the Scottish economy, have you ever thought about a career change or a life at sea?
If you already work within the Maritime Sector and want to gain further certification or experience then this course could also be useful.
All we ask is that you have an interest in the maritime sector and a willingness to learn new things.
This course is designed to get you into employment or improve the skills you already have and make you more competent to use your own boats at sea.
The course can be used as a gateway to the following industries.
• Ferries (Including Hospitality and Retail)
• Merchant Navy (Modern Apprenticeships)
• Logistics
• Aquaculture
• Commercial Fishing
• Further Study (NC Shipping and Maritime Operations Course) and on to Merchant Navy Cadetships
• Leisure Industry
You will also have the advantage of being taught by a master mariner and have the use of our own vessel, the Levanto, for practical aspects of your course.
The certification you can achieve as part of the course is
- RYA Level 2 Powerboat
- RYA Essential Navigation
- RYA VHF Radio
- MCA PST Personal Survival Techniques
- MCA PSSR Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- MCA EFA Elementary First Aid
During your course, we'll also introduce you to using a range of digital technologies, which will help you get the most from your course and at the same time develop your digital skills. Find out more about key computing skills and essential student skills.
You will study:
- Small boat engineering
- Maritime environment
- Seamanship
- Health and Safety in the maritime sector
- MCA STCW10 (PST, PSSR and EFA)
- Knots and rope work
- RYA Essential navigation and boat handling
- RYA Level 2 Powerboat and VHF Radio
- Navigation 1 and 2
- Aquaculture: an introduction to shellfish production
- Aquaculture: basic seamanship
- Embedded development of core and essential skills
- North European aquaculture: an Introduction
- Aquatic environment: local investigation
- Aquaculture: an introduction to finfish production
- Scottish sea fisheries: an introduction
More than just your subject
Imagine coming out of college with your subject qualification PLUS a portfolio of skills endorsed by employers. That's exactly what you will get with us. Our skills+ portfolio is part of your full-time course. You will develop skills in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, metaskills, work-readiness, net-zero, wellbeing, and the skills you need for your future aspirations. Our skills+ portfolio becomes your portfolio to take away with you. Whilst studying your subject you will build your skills portfolio and gain confidence and resilience along the way.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this course.
If you're considering a career change, don't let a lack of maritime experience stop you from applying for this course. Basic training will be given to help you gain the skills required to work within this industry.
Progression
When you finish this course you will have several choices available for future employment or study making use of both strands of learning (boat skills and aquaculture).
You might want to continue your studies with our NC Shipping and Maritime Operations (SCQF level 6), you could consider a career in the merchant navy, by applying for a cadetship with national shipping companies OR you could apply for a modern apprenticeship in Harbour Operations, Deck Rating or Hospitality (on-board).
Another career route could be into the marine/aquaculture sector - increasingly important for Scotland since seafood is one of our major exports; helping to sustain economic growth in the rural and coastal communities of the north and west. Fish farming and its related industries has several great career opportunities.
If you wish to move straight into employment then you could apply for jobs, which will make use of the boat skills and aquaculture skills learned in the course. Jobs such as trainee fish farm technicians; boat crew at fish farms or harbour operatives for local ferry companies.
You could also enter the leisure sector as a boat crew or sailing instructor after further suitable training.
You could work in freight logistics or the commercial fishing industry.
Course options
Course Type: Full-time
Details
Venue details
UHI North, West & Hebrides
Ormlie Road
Thurso
Course provider
UHI North, West & Hebrides
UHI North, West & Hebrides
Ormlie Road
Thurso