Apprenticeship the route to maritime career

Daryn McGarrigle’s lifelong dream of a career in the maritime industry is now a reality thanks to the Modern Apprenticeship he is doing at City of Glasgow College.

A trainee engineer with Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), Daryn started at the college in September 2021, having jumped when he saw the apprenticeship advertised.

“This is a very popular apprenticeship, I’d heard people talking about it, and it’s well promoted on CalMac’s social channels,” explained Daryn. “It was quite a daunting interview. It was an hour long in front of panel and I had to prepare a presentation on what I believed life at sea was all about. But they made me feel comfortable and it was not long before I found out I’d got the apprenticeship.2

Daryn spent his first six weeks at college completing courses and assessments before going to sea for the first time. He recently return to the college, in February, to complete a further six weeks practical work and then will return to sea to serve the rest of his apprenticeship.

“Once I’ve completed the apprenticeship I will be awarded a Diploma in Maritime Studies: Able Seafarer (Engine Room). I was drawn to the engine side of things because I wanted to develop my practical skills.

“We undergo regular assessments, particularly in relation to our practical work. After each job is done, our lecturer inspects our work to determine if it is up to standard. If not, they offer advice on how to make a better job of it. There’s a lot of trial and error and learning from your mistakes,” adds Daryn.

The 22-year-old, who attended Port Glasgow High School, has enjoyed his time at college. “It has been excellent. The facilities are top class and the work shop has everything you need in preparation for a career at sea. The lecturers are always spot on and are very knowledgeable.”

Once Daryn accumulates the required sea-time and completes his training record book, he will be issued with an Engine Room Watch Rating certificate and an Able Seafarer Engine certificate. He then hopes to continue working with CalMac, putting everything he’s learned at the college into practice.

“I’d like to be working on a boat somewhere hot and sunny. However, I hear the Western Isles are beautiful in the summer time.”

He’s very positive about the apprenticeship and would one hundred per cent recommend this route to anyone who wants to build a career and develop new skills. There are a lot of great apprenticeships out there, so go for it.

“The biggest thing for me was working and learning on the job. This is the absolutely best way to learn. I find you don’t soak up information as well by constantly sitting in a classroom, it’s good to get out and about and learn on the job. Getting paid at the same time, as well as not accumulating any student debt, is also a no-brainer.”