" the Paul Hall Center currently is not taking applications for the apprentice program due to a review of the admissions process spurred by the Manila amendments to the STCW convention."
I’ve been planning on signing up for this program for a few years now. I finally turned 18 a few days ago, and I’m applying for my TWIC next week. Everything is starting to happen, and I checked SIU’s site today and find this message. Does this happen every year? I’m not sure exactly what the last part of that statement means. Hopefully by the time I get my TWIC and MMC, everything will be back in order.
Don’t Waste your time with the SIU and their entry level program. You’re much better off bringing your newly printed entry level MMC and Twic card into one of the South Louisiana offshore companies and begging them for a job. They’ll pay for your training to get your STCW and start you off at a decent wage. You can upgrade faster because you’ll be granted 1.5 days for every 12 hour day you sail. (with the exception of 46 cfr 10.705 c for QMEDS) IN about six to eight months, you’ll be able to sit for your QMED or AB exam, depending on the route you wish to take, and if you so choose, be in a much better position to start looking elsewhere. SIU is a waste of time and money; save yourself the headache.
[QUOTE=SoCalSalt;58019]Don’t Waste your time with the SIU and their entry level program. You’re much better off bringing your newly printed entry level MMC and Twic card into one of the South Louisiana offshore companies and begging them for a job. They’ll pay for your training to get your STCW and start you off at a decent wage. You can upgrade faster because you’ll be granted 1.5 days for every 12 hour day you sail. (with the exception of 46 cfr 10.705 c for QMEDS) IN about six to eight months, you’ll be able to sit for your QMED or AB exam, depending on the route you wish to take, and if you so choose, be in a much better position to start looking elsewhere. SIU is a waste of time and money; save yourself the headache.[/QUOTE]
this is a great response, I really appreciate it. I was looking to try something similar, and if not the Gulf, then the Great Lakes. I’d prefer the Gulf though.