UKSA
UKSA is the world’s leading maritime youth charity, delivering a wide range of leisure, further education, and professional career courses in watersports and yachting for over 35 years. Training is delivered from our purpose built, all-inclusive 4-acre waterfront campus in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.
As a youth maritime charity, we can offer that something extra. Our career students benefit from mentoring, access to our careers network, realistic careers advice and help with CVs. We have a fantastic fleet, an all-inclusive waterfront campus, inspirational instructors and great facilities. Training at UKSA gives you excellent value for money with all food and accommodation included (both on board our yachts and on site).
With the generous support of individuals and donors, we often have funding opportunities available for many of our students.
Attend an open day to learn more about our courses, meet our team, see our campus facilities and get a feel for what life as a future UKSA student will be like! We will have a course to suit you, whether you are an entry-level novice or a professional looking to top up your training and qualifications.
UKSA’s flagship programme, the Superyacht Cadetship, has been designed for 18 to 25-year-olds and is a credible alternative to university. The structured four-year programme equips students with a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, qualifications, and a realistic understanding of the superyacht industry.
The programme mixes classroom learning with practical training and paid-for work on superyachts. Working in the superyacht industry can take students all over the world. With earnings from €2,800 a month tax free, cadets can pay off course fees while working and training within the industry. Working closely with leading crew agents, management companies and yacht captains, UKSA cadets are now employed in all areas of the sector.
Cadets also have the option to take a Foundation Degree in Operational Yacht Science, leading to a full BSc if required.
Course overview:
- 5 phased programme run over four years
- Designed to train the future officers of the superyacht industry
- Purpose built classrooms and navigational training simulators all on one site
Entry requirements:
- Applicants must be aged between 18 and 25
- Excellent communication, oral and written skills, are essential, as is a good understanding of mathematics
- Cadets should ideally have GCSEs grades 9-4 (or equivalent) in English, Maths and Science
- If applying for the Foundation Degree – 48 UCAS points
- Attend a 2 day cadet selection at UKSA – selection dates running most months
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With multiple and frequent start dates, UKSA’s 16-week Professional Yachtmaster course will equip you with the training, preparation and practical experience needed to gain the commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification.
Whether you want to sail commercial yachts under 24m for employment opportunities in flotilla, charter, deliveries and instruction, or you would prefer to work on large ocean going yachts and superyachts, our Professional Yachtmaster provides a fast and effective way to enter the industry and start your career.
Course overview:
- Expert tuition – theory and practical learning
- 70 days afloat covering a minimum of 2,500 tidal miles, including skippering your own crew
- Navigation training, radar training, basic engineering and safety training
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UKSA’s Superyacht Deckhand Training course has been designed to meet the growing demand for well-trained professional crew and will provide you with the training you need to work as a deckhand or crew member. Our all-inclusive course gives you all the practical knowledge you need, plus guidance from instructors who have worked in the industry themselves. We will prepare you for the unique ethos of the work-hard-play-hard superyacht industry, ensuring you understand the demands that will be placed on you when you begin work.
Course overview:
- 19 day course
- Deck work, look-out and watch duties, tender duties, and safety procedures
- Vessel care including maintenance, basic repairs, and day-to-day cleaning
- Basic engineering and safety training
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Looking to launch a career in luxury hospitality within the maritime industry? Our Superyacht Hospitality Training courses provides aspiring yacht stewards and stewardesses with the skills needed to excel on-board luxury superyachts.
Our all-inclusive course will equip you with the expertise required to deliver exceptional levels of service and attention to detail expected onboard 7-star luxury vessels. You will train in our unique superyacht training centre which includes a fully equipped cabin, dining room, superyacht galley and laundry room, giving you a comprehensive superyacht simulation experience.
Course overview:
- 3 and 5 week course options
- Introduction to the interior department and role of an interior crew member
- Personal presentation, etiquette, and professionalism
- Introduction to food and beverage service, table management, styles of services
- Housekeeping, flower arranging, laundry duties
- Health and safety, crew dynamics and life onboard
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If you are interested in beginning an engineering career on small vessels or on superyachts, UKSA’s Engineering Crew Training course is a great starting point. Our Engineering Crew Training course has been designed to meet the largest skills shortage gap in the maritime industry and will provide you with the training you need to enter the superyacht industry via an engineering route. This programme is also the perfect pathway for experienced and new crew who want to work on small vessels in an engineering capacity.
Although this training is suitable for new crew members, some hands on experience in specific engineering employment is desirable as is a high level of professionalism and maturity.
Course overview:
- 5-week course
- Common workshop practices and repair methods
- Deck work, look-out and watch duties, tender duties, and safety procedures
- Vessel care including maintenance, basic repairs, and day-to-day cleaning
- STWC safety training
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UKSA’s 13 week Watersports Instructor Training course best suits those who love working outdoors and want to propel themselves from a hobby or passion, into a career. It is suitable for near-beginners or those looking to take their passion for watersports to instructor level. You need to be a good communicator and team player yet able to work on your own initiative.
For maximum employability, you will qualify in teaching dinghy sailing, windsurfing, and wingsurfing, gain your multihull endorsement and train on paddleboards and paddlesports crafts – making you very desirable within the watersports industry. The training will provide you with the qualifications required to work in the UK and around the world. UKSA has fantastic connections within the industry and will provide students with recruitment support that will give you the edge to enter the industry with confidence.
Course overview:
- 6 disciplines
- Qualify to teach dinghy sailing, windsurfing and wingsurfing
- Train on paddleboards and paddlesports crafts
- Networking with the industry
To find out more about the fantastic opportunities available in the maritime industry with UKSA call our dedicated course advisors on +44(0)1983 203038 or email careers@uksa.org