SHIP SAFE TRAINING GROUP LTD

The Precinct Office, The Precinct, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SR Tel: 01634 820 820 Fax: 01634 820 821

E-mail: training@sstg.org www.sstg.org

Reg No: 1515815 in England. Reg Office: The Precinct Office, The Precinct, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SR.

Guidelines to Making A Successful Application

The following guidance has been prepared for candidates whom are considering making an

application to the SSTG, and should be read by every candidate before completing the online

application process.

Eligibility Requirements

Make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for the programme you are applying for.

Regretfully, we are unable to consider any applicants that do not meet the specified programme

entry requirements. In particular, please check any qualifications held, or expected to be

achieved, against the following:

- The Minimum Industry Academic Standards: These are set by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), they are the professional body that oversee all maritime training in the UK.

You will not be accepted for training if you do not meet the required standard in full.

- The Minimum Academic Standards of the examination awarding body: These are set by the awarding body that awards the academic qualifications which are included within the

merchant navy training programme. Most notably, programmes include either a Foundation

Degree or a Higher National Diploma. You will not be accepted for training if you do not

meet the required standard in full.

- Equivalent Qualifications: If you hold qualifications that you consider may be equivalent to those required, you need to carefully check their suitability. For instance, the

qualifications held may indeed be equivalent to 4 awards at GCSE or Standard level, but all the programmes we seek potential candidates for must have specified subjects, such as

Mathematics at the grade required. You will not be accepted for training if you do not meet

the required standard in full.

- Medical & Eyesight including Colour vision: Our website includes the eyesight requirements that you can print and take to a local optician to obtain confirmation that you

meet the required standard. Please remember these are internationally agreed standards and

you will not be accepted for training if you do not meet the required standard in full.

If you have any doubts about your eligibility, you are advised to contact our

recruitment team to discuss your position before applying.

Presentation

Consider carefully who will be reviewing your application and consider what they may see as

important. They will be looking for:

- A Professional Approach: The role of a ships officer is a responsible position with crew members lives, cargos worth millions and ships worth hundreds of millions at stake. Do

what you can to make your application look and read as professional as possible.

- No Abbreviations (or Text Speak): Do not use abbreviations unless you are certain that the individual reviewing your application will clearly understand what they mean.

- A Complete Application Form: Do not leave blank spaces as these do not generally leave a good impression. If a question is not relevant or not applicable, say so. If you do not have a

passport say No or Not Held. Most of the time almost anything is better than leaving a blank space which may leave the impression of a lack of attention to detail.

Your Personal Statement

This is a very important part of your application and gives you the opportunity to provide us

with additional information on why you think we should consider your application ahead of

others. At times of over-subscription, your application is being considered against the many

hundreds we receive each month and this is your opportunity to make yours stand out.

We cannot take information into account if you do not tell us, so consider carefully what

achievements you have and how they demonstrate what you think we are looking for.

Navigating large vessels requires accuracy and attention to detail, engineers need to be

resourceful and have a mechanical aptitude. How do your prior achievements demonstrate what

we are seeking in candidates and does this come across in your personal statement?

We do not lay down hard and fast rules about the format or length but as a guide it should be

approximately 250 words, without being too short. Dont miss this opportunity to sell yourself as a potential candidate.

Stand By Your Application

Whilst we do ask for that little bit extra and for you to stand out from the crowd, you must also

be carefully not to go overboard (excuse the pun!). Making statements that could not possibly be

true will not impress. Those statements that do impress are likely to be the subject of close

scrutiny should you make it to the interview stage. We expect candidates to present themselves

well without saying anything that is untrue.

And Finally.

- Spelling: This is not everyones strength but there is simply no excuse for spelling mistakes to be included on an application form. Draft what you want to say and get someone to check

it for you (as a last resort, getting a computer to check it for you is better than nothing, if its

set to UK English!).

- Grammar: As per spelling mistakes, there is simply no acceptable excuse.

We hope that this information has been useful and to all candidates who take the required time

to prepare a well presented application and aspire to reach the highest standards, we hope that

you will have done enough to secure an interview with us. Whether you obtain sponsorship from

SSTG or choose to pursue an alternative career, we wish you every success for the future.