Marine graduates in demand

A budding captain learns how to control his boat at the state-of-the-art engine room simulator. Photo / Ted Baghurst

The NZ Maritime School, run by Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) salutes the new decade with the installation of a state-of-the-art engine room simulator. The new facility represents an additional $1.5 million investment and complements the school's "bridge" simulator.

Students of the school experience the real workings of a sea vessel in the simulators, whether on the bridge with the captain or working the equipment down in the engine rooms, just as they would on any of the world's 52,000 vessels at sea.

"MIT is committed to providing learning opportunities that are as close to the real working environment as possible. The simulators take that achievement to a higher level," says Captain Tim Wilson, director of NZ Maritime School.

"Those of us who have been in the industry for many years, envy such unique training in high-tech facilities available to young trainees now," says Captain Kees Buckens, programme leader at the school.

"NZ officers are highly regarded internationally, and overseas companies travel to NZ Maritime School to use our facilities," says Captain Wilson. "If you want to be earning a great salary when you graduate, be in charge of the running of your area, and working around the world, this is a unique industry where those opportunities are plentiful."

NZ Maritime School graduates are always hard to track down because they are dispersed around New Zealand and the world in rewarding and exciting jobs.

Take a sampling of the graduates for 2008: officer on a super yacht in the Middle East, engineer on a cruise-liner, chief harbour pilot and a technical officer in a large hospital in the US. There is an abundance of opportunities to take advantage of with Maritime School training.

Foreign-going passenger ships, cargo ships and other specialised vessels need captains, and navigation and engineering officers, to name just a few of the positions to aspire to. During the study period, students spend a minimum of nine months at sea as a cadet in preparation for a career at sea. Typically, ship staff will work at sea for four months followed by two months' leave.

Almost all cargo volume into New Zealand is transported by ship and domestic sea freight continues to increase. Therefore, qualified officers and engineers are in demand to operate at ports and in export businesses and many come ashore to take up leading functions in these industries.

"Graduates of our school invest well," says Captain Buckens. "There is a 30,000 officer shortage worldwide and our students are sought after because we invest in the best training equipment and real, on-the-job experience."