Many 18-year-olds have received disappointing A Level results this summer following the government changes to exam grading this year. As an alternative to University, UKSA provides structured pathways into maritime careers through its educational training programmes for the yachting, watersports and superyacht sectors – and there are a number of assisted funding options too. UKSA also provides training for maritime apprenticeships. There are currently two places available for our Superyacht Cadetship starting in September and more availability for our course starting in April 2024. See full course details HERE.

UKSA recently welcomed its Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who has been a patron of the charity since 1992, to its Founders’ Club dinner event to share some of the inspirational stories of beneficiaries the charity’s fundraising has contributed to. The event, held at Trinity House in London, welcomed supporters to hear from the world’s largest RYA centre and UK maritime charity about its current impact and future plans. Its work empowers young people to reach their potential by building essential life skills, using the power of the sea. Read more here.

UKSA has announced it is creating the Isle of Wight’s first Oyster Regeneration Project in partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation. The aim is to aid the restoration with breeding and growing of oysters in high densities, hung in baskets in the water beneath UKSA’s pontoons. This will facilitate the release of millions of larvae into the Solent. Between 1972 and 2006, the Solent supported the largest native oyster fishery in Europe, however the oyster population has declined significantly and the fishery collapsed in 2013. Native oyster reefs in the UK have declined by 95% due to overfishing, pollution, disease, habitat loss and other pressures. Native oysters are classified as a priority species in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan and restoration is a high priority at a national, European and global level with an estimated 85% percent of oyster beds and reef habitats lost worldwide.

UKSA are excited to be welcoming their latest cohort of Superyacht Crew Training Students. It’s going to be an exciting 3 weeks where the new recruits will be learning all about vessel care, deck work, safety procedures. The course is the perfect springboard into the superyacht industry. Thanks to UKSA’s expert tuition, purpose-built site and ALL-INCLUSIVE, intensive training package, you can start your career in the superyacht industry after just 19 days at UKSA, armed with all the qualifications and skills you need. Click HERE to find our more.

UKSA has announced it is a finalist in the 2023 School Travel Awards which recognise inspiring people and the best companies, venues and attractions which provide school trips. Voted for by readers of School Travel Organiser, which helps teachers and educational visit coordinators plan and create school trips and learning outside the classroom, the Isle of Wight based charity has been shortlisted in the Best Sporting Venue category.

UKSA Professional Yachtmaster Offshore graduate Lungi Mchunu, who despite previously being afraid of the ocean, went on to become the first African woman to sail the Arctic. She built up a relationship during her time at UKSA and was subsequently offered a place on Maiden’s next world tour, which continues to represent the empowerment of women, the strength of women, and what women are capable of. To find out more, click here.

From the 6th – 12th February UKSA celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, partnering with The Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) and the Isle of Wight College, UKSA shared a range of training options for apprenticeships, helping to expand the number of young people training and working as apprentices in the maritime sector. The training that we deliver for apprenticeship schemes provides young people with employment in specialist sectors within the marine industry – specifically ports, harbours and near coastal routes. Click here to read more.

UKSA Superyacht Cadetship selection days see candidates battle it out to build a platform to support three people. Skills honed? Communication, team work and crucially leadership skills. The UKSA Superyacht Cadetship is a structured four-year programme designed to train the future officers of the superyacht industry. Designed in consultation with the MCA, the Superyacht Cadetship combines the most relevant training and mentoring in the industry. It equips graduates with a strong foundation of knowledge alongside offering a realistic understanding of what it takes to succeed in a career in the Superyacht industry. Want to find out more? Click here.

UKSA superyacht cadetship graduate Holly Barnard, 24, has landed a dream role as a second mate on board Pangaea’s SV Sea Dragon. Holly from Nairn in the Scottish Highlands learning to sail recreationally as a child, before later completing training at UKSA for a professional maritime career. “Every day is an adventure,” said Holly. “Exploring unknow territories, meeting wildlife and being able to sail to areas only accessible by boat is pretty spectacular. I joined the boat in Victoria B.C, where we sailed North through the infamous Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Alaska. We’ve been so lucky to explore trails only accessed by local bears, wolves, swum in natural hot springs, waterfalls and glacier waters”. James Potifer, UKSA Cadetship Manager said: “Hearing a story like Holly’s is what it’s all about at UKSA and seeing students fulfil their potential and leave us fully equipped to take on maritime roles they’ve trained for is the ultimate reward”.
yacht cadetship graduate Holly Barnard, 24, has landed a dream role as a second mate on board Pangaea’s SV Sea Dragon. Holly from Nairn in the Scottish Highlands learning to sail recreationally as a child, before later completing training at UKSA for a professional maritime career. “Every day is an adventure,” said Holly. “Exploring unknow territories, meeting wildlife and being able to sail to areas only accessible by boat is pretty spectacular. I joined the boat in Victoria B.C, where we sailed North through the infamous Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Alaska. We’ve been so lucky to explore trails only accessed by local bears, wolves, swum in natural hot springs, waterfalls and glacier waters”. James Potifer, UKSA Cadetship Manager said: “Hearing a story like Holly’s is what it’s all about at UKSA and seeing students fulfil their potential and leave us fully equipped to take on maritime roles they’ve trained for is the ultimate reward”.

UKSA has announced a partnership with multi-award-winning tour operator Neilson Active Holidays which sees Watersports instructor training students guaranteed job roles with Neilson as well as course fee support. UKSA’s 12- week course gives you the skills you need to start your career in the Watersports industry. You will qualify as a multi-disciplined instructor to teach windsurfing, dinghy sailing and wingsurfing enabling you to teach beginners, train future instructors and share your passion for the water. You will also gain your multihull endorsement and train on paddleboards and paddlesports craft. On successful completion of training and subject to interview, you will start your career working for Neilson at one of its beautiful beach resorts based in Greece, Italy or Croatia.