Courses?

Wouldn't bother to be honest unless it's a bargain.nif companies start asking for CSO and PFSO then consider it. Otherwise don't waste your money....
 
BearUK said:
You'll get more pragmatic answer if we knew your background.
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Thanks, had heard of companies asking for SSO but hadn't heard of them asking for CSO or PFSO. Ive served 12 years in the British Army ( Infantry ), leave jan next year. Looking to work in either close protection or maritime.
 
This is my first post, so please be gentle?!!...I'm thinking of doing a weapons course in the U.S. Would anyone else recommend a different course that's positioned else where???

Thanks anyway!.
 
I'd do your research and spend your money on something use full, maybe something outside the box? I wouldn't waste your credits money on sso etc. Don't just follow the crowd and listen to the course providers. The market is flooded and there are hundreds of lads with 12 years infantry plus maritime or cp experience already struggling to get transit work. You will have loads of wpns experience, is the US course an instructors course? This may be an option but if it is just a competency course I wouldn't waste your money on something that is already your main selling point, wpns experience... There are hundreds of lads using credits on £500/£700 sso/stcw95 courses, just to find they won't get work. These courses are relatively inexpensive compared to other skills that can be used in other industries, paramedic, languages, degrees. You need to stand out. look for other opportunities as well don't pin your hopes on maritime transit work, if you land yourself a years contract take it pay the money for the quals yourself and use the Army's money for something more expensive, don't give up an Army career for One transit, you'll be sat at home after you've covered for Christmas paying tax on your six weeks.

Good Luck..and check out the training forums there are loads of quals/courses and areas you probably won't of thought of...
 
Hello team, 1st post on here and thought i'd "hijack" this thread for advice on courses. Are there any recommendations for courses which would help set me above everybody else?

With reference to the previous post:

Languages: Which would provide more options?
Medical: Which level should i be aiming for here?

My background is Royal Navy - 17.5 years experience. Personal circumstances have changed and so after much deliberation i am looking to leave as soon as i can. Happy with the STCW 95 & SSO as baseline course (i'm 80% of the way there with them anyway) but what additional quals might a MarSec employer find attractive?

Thanks in advance team
 
renzotiger said:
Hello team, 1st post on here and thought i'd "hijack" this thread for advice on courses. Are there any recommendations for courses which would help set me above everybody else?

With reference to the previous post:

Languages: Which would provide more options?
Medical: Which level should i be aiming for here?

My background is Royal Navy - 17.5 years experience. Personal circumstances have changed and so after much deliberation i am looking to leave as soon as i can. Happy with the STCW 95 & SSO as baseline course (i'm 80% of the way there with them anyway) but what additional quals might a MarSec employer find attractive?

Thanks in advance team[/QUOTE

Welcome!

I would say these are the MINIMUM expected qualifications and requirements as of today that on average PMSC's would expect 6 months ago it was different but things have progressed a long way!:
SSO
STCW (all four parts not just FF and Sea Survival)
Yellow Fever vaccination
Maritime Firearms Competancy Course
Seamans Card
Discharge Book
Eng1
First Aid -FPOS(I)
CRB or Disclosure Scotland (within 6 months and clean)
Min 5 years military service
Certificate of service
Clean Driving License

Desirables include:
CSO/PFSO
RYA VHF
RYA Powerboat
I've yet to be asked for a language qualification. However Spanish helps with the Filipino crews, German with the masters however English is the language of the world and most of the crews will be able to speak English.


What you've failed to mention is experience!!!! Marsec appears to have fallen into some kind of arms race. Who can collect the most qualifications and tick the most boxes... All the qualifications above are obtainable, I would say they must have about a 99% pass rate. So the question you need to ask yourself Renzo is what experience do you have in the Navy that sets you apart from every other matelot out there? Have you done any different jobs perhaps with 'green' time? Were you a diver that can offer IED experience?, an OOD or Duty SR that has relevant SPO experience? We're you part of the Boarding Team?, Commando trained? Its all about standing out and identifying the key skills and experience that you have and transferring this to your CV. Being the CO's steward or I/C gash compactor for 17 years unfortunately isn't going to get you work.
From personal experience of being a newbie I know how hard it is to get work even with all the above quals and experience.....

Good luck!
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