City of Glasgow College is opening the doors of its Riverside Campus, one of the world’s leading maritime training facilities, to the public on Saturday, November 16, for a special Open Day dedicated to Maritime Careers.

This free event is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to discover the benefits of joining the college’s Merchant Navy cadetship programme, which offers world-class training using industry-leading facilities and a pathway to a high-salaried global career.

The College’s Riverside Campus is the largest training facility of its kind in Europe, equipped with cutting-edge technology, including one of Europe’s largest shipping simulator. Here, students receive hands-on training combined with the practical experience required for careers in the maritime sector, all under the guidance of expert instructors and in collaboration with leading maritime employers.

Attendees will learn more about the unique perks of City of Glasgow College’s cadetship programme, which is a mixture of classroom and workshop-based learning, practical experience on board a variety of ships, and access to top-tier facilities designed to develop professional skills and confidence. All new cadets starting at the College are issued with a free comprehensive starter pack, which includes a laptop, overalls, tools, and safety equipment to ensure they are equipped and ready for success from day one.

Like apprenticeships, cadetships allow students to “earn while they learn,” with some cadets receiving monthly sponsorships over £1,000 throughout their training. Cadets train for roles such as mechanical or electrical engineers or as deck officers, graduating with high-demand qualifications that open doors not only in the nautical industry but also in the rapidly expanding offshore renewables sector.

Jordan Price, a Phase 3 Engineering Cadet benefitting from the programme said "It's hard to put into words the impact the cadetship has had on me. There is no upper limit as to what I want to do to better myself at this stage and it's a career path I now wish I'd done when I was much younger.

"From prior experience the curriculum is solid and you can see a steady gradient from where you start to where you are going to end up. The support is excellent, lecturers are professional but approachable and always willing to share their knowledge - and the facilities at the College are fantastic, everything is modern, clean and designed with learning in mind."

The Open Day will provide an inside look at cadet life and have access to staff and current students ready to answer questions about the journey toward a maritime career. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the College’s unique facilities first-hand and learn about the substantial benefits the programme offers to aspiring Merchant Navy officers.

For anyone considering a career in the maritime sector, City of Glasgow College’s Riverside Campus Open Day is a must-visit. Join them on Saturday, November 16 between 09:30 to 14:00, to discover how a future in the maritime sector could start right in the heart of Glasgow.