Awards for Former Student

Former NAFC cadet Glenn Tonner has received an 'Outstanding Achievement' award from the Marine Society and Middlesex University on completion of an Honours degree at the university.

Glenn, from Yell, joined the NAFC Marine Centre's Merchant Navy Officer Cadet programme in 2005, aged 16, and successfully completed the course three years later.

Having followed a career in the merchant navy since then, and having undertaken further study and gained additional qualifications, Glenn is now serving as a Chief Officer on the Isle of Inishmore which is operated by Irish Ferries and sails across the Irish Sea between Pembroke and Rosslare. In addition, he was recently awarded a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Professional Practice in Marine Insurance and Accident Investigation by Middlesex University. Glenn's excellent work on this course was further recognised by the award of the Middlesex University / Marine Society Outstanding Achievement award for his final year dissertation.

NAFC Student Support Officer Caroline Hepburn commented that: “I am delighted to hear about Glenn’s fantastic achievements, both in his professional career and his academic studies since completing the cadet programme with us at NAFC. This is a splendid example of the potential opportunities available to those who pursue a career at sea and I hope it will provide inspiration to all our current and former Merchant Navy cadets. Well done Glenn”.

The NAFC Marine Centre's Merchant Navy Officer Cadet Programme trains Deck and Engineer Officers for the Merchant Navy through periods of study at NAFC alternating with periods of service at sea on merchant ships. Twenty two new cadets started on the programme earlier this month, joining 21 cadets returning for their second year following a period gaining experience working at sea. A further 20 cadets are currently working on merchant ships all over the world before returning to the centre to complete their studies.