Pembrokeshire College’s pioneering Enhanced Marine Engineering Pre-Cadetship is a finalist in the Future Skills category of the UK Maritime Awards.

Developed in a region with rich maritime heritage and tailored for the future of seafaring, this unique programme is the first Foundation Cadetship in Wales, delivered in partnership with Warsash Maritime School.

Actively addressing the growing skills gap in the maritime and marine engineering sectors, the programme offers young people a fully-funded pathway into maritime careers in a single year - from Deck, Engineering, and Electro-Technical diplomas to Foundation Degrees.

The Pre-Cadetship combines traditional academic rigour with hands-on, real-world maritime training. Topics include maritime law, global trade logistics, seamanship, electronic navigation, and safety at sea - reinforced through simulator training, expert guest lectures, and practical workshops.

Supported by the Reardon Smith Nautical Trust, learners gain key industry-recognised certifications (including RYA Powerboat Level 2, VHF Radio, and Sea Survival), and complete five weeks of real-world maritime work experience.

Commander Tim Berry, lecturer on the programme, said: “This recognition celebrates the College’s commitment to equipping our Marine Engineering Pre-Cadets with the cutting-edge skills needed for the evolving maritime and energy sectors – from offshore renewables to high seas shipping.”

He added: “The results speak for themselves. In its first year, five learners have already secured highly sought-after sponsorships with leading maritime employers such as P&O, SSTG, Northstar, and Zodiac… A huge thank you to our staff, learners, and importantly industry partners for helping us shape the future of maritime talent.”

The Maritime UK Awards spotlight the sector’s vital contribution to the UK economy, which generates £116 billion annually and supports over 1.1 million jobs across shipping, ports, engineering, professional services, and the leisure marine industry. The prestigious awards evening will take place on June 26.

Visit: pembrokeshire.ac.uk to find out more about the Pre-Cadetship.