Want to get into a career in watersports? But can’t afford it? The UKSA are now offering funding for young adults to access a watersports career course, all the details below:

Thanks to funding through the Isle of Wight College and UKSA’s work with national awarding body Active IQ to write a new qualification, the Watersports Instructor Training Diploma will be free or part-funded for the right candidates.

This creates an opportunity for young people age 19-24 to access the training as part of their education or career development. Up to 50 students a year will benefit.

The nine-week course is a four-discipline course (dinghy sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding), giving students an excellent start when looking for work in the watersports industry. They will also be given guaranteed interviews by leading watersports industry employers Neilson, Mark Warner, Sunsail and Ocean Elements.

To be eligible, learners must be aged 19-24 when they start the course. If the applicant already holds a Level 2 qualification or higher, they will be eligible for 50% funding. If they do not hold a Level 2 qualification and are unemployed, they could qualify for full funding and do the course for free.

The diploma does not include food or accommodation, but this can be added as a paid-for option. There is a small cost to join National Governing Bodies (RYA and BCU). Those with no watersports experience at all should take the two-week Kickstart course first.

Chris Frisby, Head of Operations at UKSA, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for anyone serious about starting a career in watersports. They will qualify in four disciplines, making them highly employable, and they will be guided in the right direction by our in-house mentoring and careers service. It really is the best start they can get.

“To be able to forge an entirely new career with very little financial outlay will be life-changing for many young adults. We are delighted to be offering this opportunity at UKSA.”

Island MP Andrew Turner gave his support to the new course. He said: “I am thrilled to have within my constituency a youth charity which is leading the way with innovative ideas about tackling unemployment.

“UKSA in Cowes has worked extremely hard to gain accreditation on this course through a government scheme, so it can be funded for the right candidates. The pilot scheme is currently underway and is completely ground-breaking – offering funded training for young adults. Being based on the Island it’s very accessible for local people and I am delighted to hear that the pilot scheme has some Island people on it.

“There are jobs out there for young people, but often there seem to be invisible barriers to them, and what I like about UKSA is that as a charity it breaks down those barriers and lets young people through. Any young person interested in an active way-of-life and a lifestyle type of job should take a look at this incredible opportunity to change their life.”

As a funded course, there will be a selection process. Anyone interested should call UKSA’s sales team on 01983 203038 or email [email protected] to find out more.

More detail about the course and the funding options can be found on http://uksa.org/professional-training/watersports/watersport-instructor-training/