On a sunny but chilly Sunday in mid-January, eight of our latest fresh-faced cadets, descended upon the Lake District for a week-long induction, with Carnival UK colleagues Martyn Sharples, Deputy Captain (Queen Victoria) and Kristy Dawson, Fleet and Technical Cadet Manager.
The outward bound week, which trialled as part of the cadet process in 2018, is a chance for our newest cadets to meet other cadets, test their skills in the Cumbrian countryside and pick up new lifelong skills.
The highlight activity during the week was the two-day, overnight expedition where cadets were required to plan, execute and evaluate the mission. The quest gave them the chance to use a number of skills and learn new ones, including:
- Identifying the needs of the team to carry out the expedition
- Planning routes by effective team communication
- Behavioural effects of the individual on the wider team, including teamwork
- Physical encouragement and endurance
- Staying calm under pressure and working as a team to overcome individual and team hurdles
“It’s fantastic to see our new cadets get stuck in to the outward bound course. It has helped directly with confidence, communication and organisation skills, which are all skills needed for when they embark on their cadetships and subsequent career at sea.
“Not only has each cadet demonstrated their own leadership and teamwork qualities, they have helped develop those same characteristics in each other. I’m looking forward to seeing them all grow, as they embark on their seagoing career with Carnival UK.”
Kristy Dawson, Fleet and Technical Cadet Manager, Carnival UK
“It was a privilege to engage with eight new officer cadets. From their first meeting in Kendal it became clear that each individual had their own strengths and potential areas for development. Within that week we all, including myself, faced personnel challenges, from working at height, to rowing across a lake, many will never forget the overnight stay at Scarfell or a leisurely ‘jog and dip’. As a team, they shared experiences and drew upon their strengths to achieve their given objective. They arrived as individuals but departed as a unique team with a bond that will last them their entire career.”
Martyn Sharples, Deputy Captain, Queen Victoria
“I chose to start my career at sea because it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle and a fantastic opportunity to see the world and receive high-class training from the world’s leading cruise operator.
“All the outdoor activities were great and gave me the chance to build my leadership and communication skills. As well as the activities, it was extremely helpful having a Deputy Captain with us, as well as Kristy, as it meant we could ask lots of questions and have more of an idea of what life is like at sea. Overall, it was a fantastic induction week and made me more confident about starting college and my career at sea!”
Grace Haskins, Deck Cadet at Warsash Maritime Academy.
“I come from a seafaring family, which inspired me to want to become a seafarer myself. As I start my cadetship with Carnival UK, I’m most looking forward to being able to master the role of officer of the watch and learn new and exciting things.
“I found it exciting and challenging – it changed me a lot. It gave me all-round skills, including leadership, teamwork, problem solving and endurance. These are very useful with sea phases and help me work effectively with many colleagues on board.”
Brittany Brown, Deck Cadet at Fleetwood Nautical College.
“There are very few jobs in the world that enable employees to have such freedom whilst also continuously providing them with opportunities to grow and develop as professionals. Carnival UK in particular allows cadets and employees to visit some of the world’s most exotic and picturesque places, as you get to work alongside top industry professionals and on board world class vessels.
“The outward bound course was challenging, but that’s its purpose. The facilities were fantastic and the setting amazing! It was a very thoughtful course and it really helped show me how and where I fit into the company outside of just my actual role. It was the perfect setting to meet and bond with the other Carnival UK cadets and provided us with the chance to become friends as well as colleagues.”
Josh Sage, Electro-Technical Cadet, City of Glasgow College.