From enrolment to qualification: A study on Cadet retention and support

Cadet attrition is an important issue for a number of reasons. The global maritime industry already faces a shortage of qualified officers. High cadet attrition worsens this gap. When cadets exit the industry before qualification, fewer trained officers progress to fill vital roles at both sea and ashore. Clearly, this creates
challenges for shipping companies. Training a Cadet requires significant investment—from both maritime academies and sponsoring companies (tuition, simulation training, sea time etc.). High attrition means that these
investments do not yield qualified officers, resulting in financial loss and inefficiency. Many Cadets who drop out could have become competent officers or maritime leaders if better supported. The proposed study will explore the attrition of Cadets and consider some of the ways Cadets might be better
supported. It will do so through the use of two distinct data collection methods: 1) a qualitative survey and 2) selfadministered money diaries.
The purpose of the survey is to capture Cadets perceptions of what support they feel would be useful that is currently missing. In particular, Cadets will ask their opinions on the support currently available and how this has helped them to remain in a Cadetship programmed. Participants will also be asked about their own backgrounds (e.g. eligibility for free school meals) and current living situations (e.g. dependants, own home). The survey will be administered to Cadets studying at Warsash Maritime Academy and also to Cadets studying at three other maritime colleges in the UK (Fleetwood Nautical Campus, South Shields Marine School, City of Glasgow College). This approach will ensure a good representation of Cadets studying around the UK.