Oceans of Opportunity
The Maritime Futures programme is a five-day residential experience for young people aged 14–25 who want to explore the world of maritime and discover whether a future in this exciting, global sector could be right for them.
Delivered during the school holidays, this introductory course is designed to inspire confidence, broaden horizons, and provide a real insight into life and careers at sea.
Across an engaging and rewarding week, participants gain hands-on experience in a variety of maritime roles while having fun, building friendships, and developing valuable life skills.
About the programme
Based at UKSA’s 4-acre waterfront campus, Maritime Futures offers a dynamic mix of adventure, career exploration, and personal development. Participants experience both water-based and shore-based activities, gaining practical insight into the wide range of opportunities within the maritime industry.
On the water, young people take part in activities such as dinghy sailing, keelboating, yachting, paddleboarding, kayaking, raft building, and sea survival. These sessions are designed to build confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience in a supportive group environment.
Alongside practical activities, participants explore maritime careers through interactive workshops. These include navigation and radar, marine engineering, powerboating, deckhand duties, and superyacht interior operations such as stewarding and table scaping. Using UKSA’s state-of-the-art simulator suites, students can even experience navigating a superyacht in a realistic training environment.
Throughout the programme, young people also hear directly from industry professionals, helping them understand the breadth of career pathways available, from technical and engineering roles to seagoing, hospitality, and leadership positions.
Who is it for?
This programme is designed for individuals or groups aged 14–25 who are considering their next steps in education or career and are curious about the maritime world.
No prior sailing or watersports experience is required, just a willingness to get involved, try new things, and learn. Whether participants arrive with a clear ambition or simply a desire to “find out more,” the course provides an accessible and supportive introduction to the industry.
Graduates can progress onto further training opportunities at UKSA, including Further Education programmes, Watersports Instructor training, our cadetship programme, and specialist career courses, helping them take the next step toward a career at sea.
DofE Gold Residential
A Gold DofE Residential requires you to spend five days and four nights away from home, taking part in a shared activity with people you’ve never met before. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, building new relationships, and developing independence in a completely new environment. The Maritime Futures programme meets the requirements for this award.
Upcoming dates for Maritime Futures Programme
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Funding Available
We have funding opportunities available for those in genuine financial need through our Sea.Change Fund, ensuring cost is never a barrier. Contact our course advisers to get the details and assess your eligibility.
Why Train with UKSA
UKSA has been successfully training and launching careers for over 35 years. As an industry leader, we pride ourselves on the winning combination of high standards and top-level industry experience delivered to our students.
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All-inclusive FacilitiesAll of our courses are available with all-inclusive accommodation and meals, allowing you to focus on your studies
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Future OpportunitiesAs the world’s largest RYA training centre, UKSA deliver a range of courses training individuals to enter the industry in a variety of roles.
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Expert TrainingOur instructor team consists of highly skilled industry experts who bring their expertise and experience to enhance your learning.
Register Your Interest
Get in touch to book your place
#SeaChangeStories
“I can’t focus on learning at school, but the way they teach things at UKSA is different. It’s the first place where I haven’t just been treated like a kid – they even trusted me to drive the boat! They’re my role models and now I want to be a watersports instructor when I grow up. I’ve never felt like I had options for the future before.”
Raffy – Maritime Futures Programme Attendee
Supporting young people to reach their potential
For almost 40 years UKSA have been delivering lifechanging experiences, education and training programmes to thousands of students.
Our team of experts, mentors, and educators provide training, welfare, and mentoring of the highest standards.
Our maritime pathway provides early inspiration taster programmes for school children, career training for those looking to secure their first role and continued professional development for seafarers wanting to progress their career.
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