Do you have exceptional boating, navigation or leadership skills? If so, you could be eligible to apply for a share of a brand new £30,000 career development training scholarship.
About the Scholarship
Trinity House and the RYA have teamed up to create an amazing career opportunity for those aspiring to work in, or already working in, the commercial small boat industry.
An amount of £30,000 provided by Trinity House will be distributed by the RYA amongst a number of carefully selected talented boaters, with the aim of assisting applicants in gaining the qualifications needed to pursue or further their careers.
This area within the UK and on similar vessels outside the UK provides a huge employment opportunity across a wide variety of activities.
From high-speed experience rides and eco-tourism, from Cornwall to Scotland, charter race sailing on the Solent to windfarm workboats, round the world race yachts to superyachts globally – there is literally something for every taste in terms of career opportunity.
The RYA’s Director of Training Richard Falk said the scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to step onto this exciting career ladder.
He added: ‘It has long been the case that RYA qualifications form the cornerstone of the small commercial vessel sector.
‘It is essential for the marine industry to invest in top talent to remain the highly regarded industry it is today. It takes a huge amount of commitment, dedication and training to reach the top and we would like to be able to give back so candidates can excel.
‘The Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster™ Scholarship represents a fantastic opportunity for talented individuals to receive either full or part funding to assist them along their way in a career at sea. Trinity House and the RYA are delighted to be working together on this initiative and we very much look forward to seeing the flow of successful candidates into a broad cross section of the industry.’
Trinity House trustee and Director of Training, Nigel Hope, said Trinity House was delighted to be providing a new opportunity to enable people to start or further their seafaring career.
He added: 'For many years Trinity House has been supporting sail training and Merchant Navy Cadets. It is a logical extension of that work that Trinity House should now also support seafarers in the many growing offshore industries and activities. The RYA is the ideal partner in that endeavour.’
The selection process
Applications are taken on an ongoing basis, with interviews being held approximately every six months at Trinity House in London.
Candidates will need to demonstrate a high level of commitment and achievement in the industry already, or for those keen to enter the industry they will be able to show a history of excellence in studies or in leisure boating activity. Applicants will also need to be able to demonstrate a clear intention to work within the small commercial vessel sector.
Nominations for a candidate must be made by a principal of one of the RYA’s vast network of RYA Recognised Training Centres, where candidates will have shown exceptional boating, navigation and/or leadership skills.
The requirements
- The Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster™ Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated excellence either in education or in the maritime industry. Candidates will need to be nominated by the principal of an RYA Recognised Training Centre that holds recognition for at least some of the courses for which funding is sought and will also require a second reference in support of their application.
- Applications will be assessed by a panel of Trinity House and RYA Personnel along with industry representatives. Short listed candidates will be invited to an interview as part of the assessment process at Trinity House in London.
- There will be two intakes of nominees each year.
- The Trinity House RYA Yachtmaster™ Scholarship is open to UK citizens over the age of 18 (at time of interview).
- A list of courses and exams eligible for funding will be included in the scholarship details on the RYA website and funding will be paid directly to the RYA Training Centre upon invoice. Training will normally need to be completed within 2 years.
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate a clear intention to work afloat within the small commercial vessel sector.
- The RYA will administer the process and promote the scheme through its network of RYA Recognised Training Centres.
For full details of eligibility and terms and conditions click here
More about Trinity House
- For more than 500 years Trinity House, in addition to the provision of aids to navigation, has been looking after the welfare of seafarers through its charitable aims. It is renowned for promoting and funding education for seafarers in the Merchant Navy. In more recent times it has also provided bursary funding for ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations) personnel and cadetships for candidates entering the superyacht sector.
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