Edmiston welcomes new yachts to its brokerage books

In 2021, Edmiston made the important decision to partner with yachting organisation UKSA, funding training programmes in order to open up opportunities within the superyacht world to young people from the most underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. The Edmiston Foundation’s goal is to encourage new pathways and entry points into the maritime industry to change the white, elitist perception that currently encircles the maritime sector, and training is the perfect way to begin this.

UKSA is one of the world’s top providers of MCA yacht certificates, providing career training for people of all ages, but especially to teenagers from across the UK. Through their partnership with the Edmiston Foundation, they are able to make sure that the students who come on their courses are as diverse as possible, opening the door to those who might not otherwise have had these opportunities, or even known they existed.

A year after it launched, the partnership is thriving, and more vital than ever before. Addressing diversity within the superyacht industry, the joint mission is helping those who want to to forge a career within the maritime sector, broadening horizons and teaching hugely transferable life skills and leadership.

This year alone, The Edmiston Foundation joined forces with UKSA to fund places for 61 teenagers on the Sea Change Foundation Programme. For five days, these students – aged between 14 and 17 years old – had the chance to try all sorts of water-based activities, from stand up paddle-boarding to yachting. Back on shore, they also took part in more theoretical lessons, an introduction into the sort of careers they could think about going for in the maritime sector, and the steps they’d need to take to get there. Above all, for many of the young people who came on the Sea Change programme, this was their first chance they have to go on the water and the first time they’d been away from home.

At the next level, Edmiston have put 29 students through the UKSA’s Superyacht Careers Training programme this year, with two students currently enrolled who will be fully funded by the Foundation. The course has been specially designed by industry experts to meet the growing demand for well-trained professional crew onboard some of the world’s most luxurious yachts. This runs alongside the Superyacht Cadetship course, which begins in September 2022, with one fully funded place already secured.

Isabelle, a student who is taking place on a on the Crew Trainer Course at UKSA 2022, gave the following testimonial during her first week:

I’m thankful for Edmiston funding my Superyacht Crew training course here at UKSA. The training is going great, everyone here is absolutely lovely and easy to talk to. The instructors are so clear and friendly, and the fact it’s my first time in this sort of environment, I don’t feel silly asking any questions. I’m not certain what my future ambitions are, but I’m really keen on taking this further and seeing where this can take me. I’m just going to go where the wind takes me.

Additionally, the Edmiston Foundation has supported activity and learning visits for 150 school children this year, and supported 18 beneficiaries from Washwood Heath to join UKSA courses.

As the partnership continues to grow and evolve, Edmiston and UKSA are having a significant impact in providing these opportunities to young people and in kick-starting a meaningful culture change, and ultimately increasing diversity in the sector.

The Edmiston Foundation formed in 2020 with two main agendas: employment opportunities for young people within the maritime sector, and environmental initiatives, specifically relating to the Ocean. The Foundation aims to partner with leaders in their respective fields, supporting these initiatives via fund raising and wider awareness.

But to help us support more than 200 young people each year, we need your help. You can support The Edmiston Foundation by donating here:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/The-Edmiston-Foundation