On Monday 26 June Curriculum Leaders, Head of Year 12, Career Coordinators and Education Advisers from across the county of Kent attended an Open Day at Viking Recruitment’s Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) in Dover, supported by Kent County Council and the Careers and Enterprise Company. 

Taking place during Seafarers Awareness Week, the Open Day was an opportunity to showcase training and career opportunities within the Maritime Industry.

Year 12 students from the Goodwin Academy in Deal joined the Open Day, presenting many elements from the Introduction to the Maritime Industry programme which students have taken part in at the Maritime Skills Academy.

The programme included a practical Splash session, in the centre’s Survival Pool, giving students an understanding of the important of sea survival by covering many elements of the STCW Personal Survival Training, which included donning a lifejacket and using a life raft in an emergency scenario.  Students put on a great demonstration in the survival pool for the open day guests.

Other practical tasters of the programme included ‘Fire and Aid’ looking at Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and First Aid.  Theory elements gave a greater understanding to the maritime industry, including support agencies as well as discussing career opportunities within the maritime industry which are open to school and college leavers, such as a merchant navy cadetship.

Speaking at the Open Day, Viking Recruitment and Maritime Skills Academy Managing Director Matthew Jaenicke said that he saw the real importance in giving students an opportunity to learn about the maritime industry. The programme has offered students a great number of key life skills, including team work and increasing confidence.

Munya Badze, Enterprise Coordinator for Kent County Council added, the Kent Enterprise Adviser Network is part of a national initiative led by the Careers & Enterprise Company aimed to inspire and prepare young people for the fast-changing world of work. Access to real-time labour market information for careers practitioners and education leaders is equally important. Enterprise Advisers for the Goodwin Academy, Matthew and Paul of Viking Recruitment/Maritime Skills Academy delivered an exciting and truly inspirational open day.

Viking Recruitment are rolling out this programme to schools and students across Kent, which will increase awareness of the maritime industry as well as offering practical elements for personal safety, life skills and team building.  

For further information please contact Paul Rutterford, General Manager at paulr@vikingrecruitment.com.