Is this a fair wage for an deckhand trainee and ratings?

[Gulliver]

We have to remember how virtually everything has changed in our lives,not just on entry requirements into the MN. Back then ,for example.to become a Deck,Engineering or Radio Officer you knew that , apart from having a few appropriate GCE’S ,being of good conduct and sounding mature enough to pass an interview,then you were almost certain to be snapped up by one of the many companies in our once-great MN. You were on your way.
These days ,as in all other industries,only the best will be accepted for the available training places.That means only the most academic prospective candidates(usually with a degree already !) ,and with perhaps a little bit of proven work experience-try getting that these days ! -will be taken on.
I think ,if you go back to the beginning of the thread that in the earlier posts we established the notion that ‘our candidate’ did not have the right self-motivation. You don’t embark on a seagoing career like ours by contemplating the pay and conditions whilst you are undergoing training-you don’t even enquire about them !-it’s immaterial,you’re there just because that’s all you really want to do in life.
By all means enquire about your likely salary and prospects when you’re on the ladder,but not when you’re just starting out.
　
I really don’t think life is too easy for today’s teenagers with regards career choices.It must be so difficult sometimes.
Something is wrong with the education system.For a start,I don’t understand why virtually every A and O Level (or GCSE equivalent) candidate gains such high passes.I’m not saying they’re easier at all,but perhaps pass results are being ‘doctored’ by the education authorities to make the whole system look better.
There has for many years also been too much emphasis on students having a university education,rather than directing more of them into workplace experiences in industry.
I’m appalled usually by the amount of university graduates I see on TVQuiz shows who have a diabolical general knowledge-oh yes,they might have a Hons.Bachelors AND a Masters(which means ‘they’ve cost we taxpayers five years already) in ‘The Psychology of Reality TV Contestants' ,but that doesn’t help you if you think the capital of Scotland is Barcelona !(You get my drift !
Most candidates would also never pass an interview,they can’t speak the Queen’s English, or string two sentences together you see.

(Scenario-(The O& P Shipping Group Interview Room)
Marine Super)-“So,Mr. Essex-Smith,why do you want to make the sea your career ?”
(Scruffy looking interviewee,chewing gum,feet on desk)
“Well Boss,it like this,man.innit-wow like your suit,bruv.looks real cool,like.well I wanna see the world and all them chicks for free and get me loadsadosh and be a Capting,’cos he’s the real thing innit,an’ I got this BIG degree in Media and Sports Studies man.You fink I have the right a-I tude then,innit man?”


　
　
Sorry.I got going a bit there……
Gulliver
　

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

The best description I heard about graduated students was that they were like lighthouses in the desert......brilliant but f.....g useless.

[happy daze john in oz]

Having worked in the university ststem I am inclined to agree. I sometimes watch the odd quiz show and am appaled at the lack of general knowlege. Very often the contestant will say 'don't know it was before my time'?
But when I went to sea the wages were not something that I worried about, we got pay we got leave we got overtime better than ashore was all I knew then.

[Gulliver]

That irritates me intensely too John.If I was quizmaster I would be tempted to reply to the contestant,"Well the Battle of Hastings was before my time but I know it was 1066 !"
(Ergo, a quizmaster I could not be !)

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

Can you imagine Jeremy Paxman as quizmaster in a general knowledge quiz ?