The MNTB was recently made aware of an issue that has impacted many of our UK cadets. Due to the current long wait times to secure an Officer of the Watch oral exam slot, many students are having to seek the assistance of an external provider to deliver oral exam preparation support.
Although oral exam preparation is being delivered by maritime colleges as part of the approved cadet training programmes, the long delays between the end of training and the oral exam has meant that many cadets are being forced to seek oral exam preparation from external, unregulated companies.
Whilst there are several independent providers within our industry offering excellent levels of oral preparation support and guidance for a very reasonable fee, there are many others taking advantage of vulnerable cadets, delivering unregulated, poor quality, information at exorbitant cost.
We are urging all cadets who are considering using the services of an external oral preparation provider to err on the side of caution before they sign up to a course. If in doubt, they need to raise this with their college or training management company directly.
Kathryn Neilson
Director
Merchant Navy Training Board
More letters
Strong opinions welcome – in your own name
As far as tackling 'fire and rehire' is concerned, this challenging issue remains a high priority for the Union, with extra weight given to our campaigning by a vote of members (in their own names) at the 2023 General Meeting.
We won't keep cadets if we continue treating them like this
Until companies are willing to invest in a decent standard, you will have trouble attracting cadets, as conditions are far worse than in the 1970s when I did my cadetship.
Join us at the PSNC reunion
I am writing to let Nautilus members know that the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's annual reunion will take place this year in Bootle on 27/28 March.