After three years of studying sponsored by Global Marine, including spending nine months aboard various vessels in the company fleet, Joss, Marcus, Ron and William qualified as Electrical Technical Officers (ETO) this summer.
Since then the four ETOs have spent recent weeks within the training school at the company’s head office in Chelmsford to gain further skills and knowledge in order to qualify as Junior Systems Technicians (JST). This will give the officers the capability to work in cable jointing as well as piloting Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) whilst at sea. The additional training has included learning practical skills in splicing, jointing and using the X-Ray Camera whilst getting to grips with a wide range of technical specifications and procedures.
This dual skilling is what sets these officers apart from other qualified cadets, enabling them to operate in both roles – ETO and JST. This has advantages all round; allowing better utilization of the workforce in the areas of greatest demand, but also giving the seafarers a greater range of skills and experience, and a platform for their future careers.
Marcus said, “I’m really excited for what the future holds, I see this as a long-term career path and I’m feeling very motivated after spending time with the trainers here in Chelmsford. Global Marine has been very good to us, supporting us throughout our apprenticeship with constant contact and now with our on-going learning. We’re all looking forward to completing this part of our training and getting back on board a vessel to really start our new roles.”