So I got a letter in the mail from the SIU apprenticeship program with a denial of admission. Really upset and let down losing out on such a great opportunity. I suppose it’s not good enough to ace the math and reading test, have letters of recommendation from a high ranking former Navy officer and career mariner, and another one from one of the presidents of the Elks Lodge, and writing what I thought was a decent enough letter explaining why I want to become a mariner. I’m 38, graduated from college with good grades. Maybe they just want teenage punks right out of high school? I can only speculate that they still discriminate based on age there. They’ve been sued on that issue in the past. Any thoughts?
Believe me when I say this, " you are not missing a great opportunity".
I’m sorry to hear that. Will you call and ask them why? I don’t think college grades have anything to do with it, because they don’t require college. Did they give a reason in the letter?
I also don’t understand why everyone is down on the program. It’s the quickest route to an AB Special, and it’s free.
That’s quite surprising. First SIU aprrentice I sailed with was late 30s, but he was certifiably nuts. I think he came right out of San Juan nut house. Scary to be around. Very strange you got denied.
However, I agree with RichM. No great opportunity there.
Just head down to Louisiana.
[QUOTE=MariaW;129814]It’s the quickest route to an AB Special, and it’s free.[/QUOTE]
Nothing is free. It will cost you one way or another at some point
I didn’t start sailing till I was 46 and ended up with a 2AE UNL. within 10 years, study hard and sail a lot. I got with the Govt. (lotsa sea time, free schools etc.) of course I forgot how to work!
I’m pretty sure I sailed with you on 223 back in 03-04. You’re pretty handy with a lathe as I remember…
Hey!, ya- I got your msg. and replied … yup, 223 – I’d still sail that ship anywhere, the new Dyson class is sometimes scary, especially up there!
Must be white
I’m here upgrading right now and there’s an apprentice in his 60s I would call admissions if I was yoy
It’s the right price for sure.
I have also been hearing scuttlebutt about them shutting the apprentice program down for awhile too due to it being booked up for awhile. Could just be rumors tho.
I remember a couple of times at Piney Point where I observed some of the trainees that were long in the tooth. They also had an accelerated trainee program for Vets at one time.
I believe a lot of the selection is hit or miss. I have a cousin that tested at the hall after Christmas a couple of years ago, submitted his paperwork to get into class expecting to be in a month or six weeks. They called him the same day saying they had many cancellations for the earlier class. I believe there were only 7 survived in his class. They were mid 20s and ex military.
Piney Point is no panacea but they have some good instructors and great labs for a teaching foundation. It’s still up to the individual to learn to apply the technology and not just memorize the Q&A. I’ve sailed with a few trainees that expected a pass through. I’ve sailed with many that applied themselves and are good QMEDs, licensed engineers and deck officers.
Cuz has enjoyed his time with the SIU. He’s covered most of the globe in the last couple of years. He said all but one of the ships he sailed has had engineers that recognized skill and initiative and went out of their way to train him. He just finished the Junior Engineer course and is in a quandary about giving up a good ship for the accelerated electrician’s training program.
I’d inquire about getting into another class there Skulk. But be careful what you wish for.
[QUOTE=Johnny Canal;129815]That’s quite surprising. First SIU aprrentice I sailed with was late 30s, but he was certifiably nuts. I think he came right out of San Juan nut house. Scary to be around. Very strange you got denied.
However, I agree with RichM. No great opportunity there.
Just head down to Louisiana.[/QUOTE]
I’m sure this has been asked a million times and sorry to bother you with the question, but what time of year is generally the best to head down there and try to get a job. Are there any particular seasons or months when finding work is less difficult?
hello … how are you all ? hope each is good and doing their bit here … countng to the existing community +1 and all set to play my bit as well
[QUOTE=skulkingrat;129857]I’m sure this has been asked a million times and sorry to bother you with the question, but what time of year is generally the best to head down there and try to get a job. Are there any particular seasons or months when finding work is less difficult?[/QUOTE]
Read knocking on doors in Louisiana thread.
Do your own work here or certain members of the forum are going to verbally crucify you.
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[QUOTE=Goirish44;129847]I have also been hearing scuttlebutt about them shutting the apprentice program down for awhile too due to it being booked up for awhile. Could just be rumors tho.[/QUOTE]
Not if Sacco has his way.
Somebody has to do the yardwork at his estate.
Crying discrimination because you were not selected for a training program? Are you sure you want to be in this field? I sure as shit don’t want you on my boat. I mean goddamn, heaven help us I I told you to do something that was in your job description.
[QUOTE=Clear Solution;129932]Cr
Crying discrimination because you were not selected for a training program? Are you sure you want to be in this field? I sure as shit don’t want you on my boat. I mean goddamn, heaven help us I I told you to do something that was in your job description.[/QUOTE]
That’s quite a leap. OP didn’t whine one bit about getting declined. He asked the public about a possible reason. As far as I can tell, the SIU would be lucky to have him. Based purely on what he said, ASSUMING he didn’t leave out important details, can’t understand why SIU would decline him. I say that having sailed with SIU for quite a while. His supposition that age discrimination may have played a part is totally legitimate. If a much smaller union such as the SUP is also known as the Supremacists Union of the Pacific what do you think their competition is capable of?
If he were asking how to get a Job as a DPO the day after he gets his TWIC and MMC, I’d be all for lambasting him.
If more guys like him made humble, legitimate beginning entries to the forum, there would probably be a lot less grumpy, trigger happy SOBs on here.
The guy isn’t looking for instant gratification in the 6 figure range like so many other first time posters on here. He’s trying HARD to get into penis point as a means of going to sea. If every mariner had to start out at a place like that, just to get an OS or wiper MMC, there would be a shitload of dropouts.
Hey brother sorry to hear that you were denied admissions. I can tell you from my own experience having gone through the apprenticeship program they are not geared towards any particular age groups. The program is flooded and I imagine that they are having to cut back on the numbers because of the long waiting list to get in. Honestly you should start looking around at community colleges in order to find some associate programs that license AB’s which will save you a lot of time and BS that comes with the apprenticeship program. Also if you are already a college graduate you should look into a Masters program with a license option. Ab’s are a dime a dozen and everyone is fighting for the cream of the crop jobs. Honestly in roughly the same amount of time it would take you to get accepted to the program, then get there, and actually complete the program, you could have a masters with a unlimited mates license, give or take 6 months. That is if you already hold a bachelors degree, but keep in mind you have to be enrolled in a maritime academy for a minimum of 3 year. There are many programs which will certify you to get a AB ticket so don’t be deterred by your denial of admission from the SIU.