Cadet Sponsorship

How can I become a Deck or Engineering Officer?

In order to study for your HNC/D you will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs or Standard Grades passes at grade  1-3/A-C.  These should include Mathematics, English and a in the case of Engineers Physics or for Deck Officer Trainees Physics, Chemistry or Technological Studies.

For entry into the Foundation Degree you will need 120 UCAS points as well as the GCSE or Standard Grades required for the HNC/D.  Some colleges also require A Levels or Higher Grades in Mathematics or Physics.

You will also have to pass an Industry Standard Medical Examination, and for Deck Officer Trainees, a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Colour and Form Vision Test. One of the requirements of this medical is that you are able to pass a test to verify that you are not colour blind.

A Deck Cadet will undertake a three year course, spending a minimum of 12 months at sea. An Engineering Cadet will undertake a three year course, of which a minimum of 6 months must be spent at sea. Cadets will spend the remainder of their course at one of a number of Maritime Colleges around the country including Warsash Maritime College near Southampton. Courses commence in September and January of each year.

What Qualifications will I gain and what about Job Prospects?

Deck Officer Cadets
You would leave college in possession of a Class 3 Certificate, a full Higher National Diploma, together with the new NVQ Level 3 qualification. You would then be able to join a foreign-going ship in order to obtain your Class 2 and then Class 1 examination.

After this, you would be able to work for Red Funnel in the position of 'Mate' on board our Vehicle Ferries or Hi-Speed craft. If you have a Class 1 ticket, you would be eligible for the position of 'Master' or 'Commander'.

Engineering Officer Cadets
You would leave college with a Class 4 Certificate of Competency. You will also have a full Higher National Diploma, together with the new NVQ Level 3 qualification. You would then be able to go back to a foreign going ship in order to obtain your Class 3, 2 and then Class 1 examination.

After this, you would be able to join Red Funnel in the position of 'General Purpose Mechanic' on board our Vehicle Ferries. If you obtain a higher-class certificate, you will be eligible for the position of ‘Engineer Officer’ or 'Chief Engineer'.

If you were successful in becoming an Officer Cadet sponsored by Red Funnel, then we would expect you to return to work for us at some point in the future.

Red Funnels cadet program is managed by Clyde Marine Training.  If you wish to apply for a cadetship then please download the application form and brochure below.

• Brochure
• Further information about course structure and entry requirements
• Cadetship Application form