13th February 2019
South Devon College is delighted to announce a memorandum of understanding between South Devon Marine Academy and Sailing Holidays Ltd, the UK’s largest independent sailing holiday company.
As part of the agreement, students studying on the FdSc Yacht Operations at University Centre South Devon (UCSD) will be offered an interview to work for the company; which will lead to opportunities for both shore-based or crew employment. This is due to the sought after specialist skillset the students become equipped with after studying at South Devon Marine Academy.
L-R Paul Singer – Qualification Development Coordinator at South Devon College with Director of Sailing Holidays Francis Burdett-Coutts
Sailing Holidays has been running flotillas in the Greek Islands for over 40 years and to date has 178 beautiful yachts in Greece. Last season, current students enrolled at UCSD enjoyed a work placement in the beautiful Greek islands of the Sporades. After learning their initial sailing skills on the River Dart, the student’s abilities were soon put to test by joining an already busy crew part-way through the peak season.
FdSc Yacht Operations student Sean Ryan was successful in his recent job interview with Sailing Holidays. Sean said, “Interviewing with Sailing Holidays meant so much to me as it was my first interview in the sailing sector. My dream is to spend as much time on the water and getting paid for it. This was the first of many steps in that direction and am pleased to say that they have offered me a shore-based role for the peak season. With the view of getting me out on the water as much as they can.
Studying with the academy and working with Sailing Holidays will not only give me the techniques and skills to work in the industry, but will give me some real life practical experience. I am also building up so many contacts with people in the industry and upcoming members of the sailing community that will no doubt become invaluable in the future. My favourite thing about studying at the academy is the range of facilities and vast experience of the tutors here and the knowledge they share.”
To find out more about wide variety of marine courses the College offers from apprenticeships to full-time courses or university degrees, visit our next Open Evening on Thursday 4th April 2019, 4pm-7pm at Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ. Alternatively, you can call our Helpzone team on 08000 380 123 or email enquiries@southdevon.ac.uk