Ross Morrison

During my time as a Marine Engineer Officer Cadet, I undertook extensive onboard training and academic study as part of a structured cadetship programme. As part of a multinational crew onboard two of Zodiac Maritime's vessels Maersk Candor, and Blue Nova, I gained hands-on experience in a wide range of engineering tasks, including routine maintenance, fault diagnosis, and emergency repairs under the supervision of experienced senior engineer officers. This role also allowed me to learn how to maintain a safe watch alongside the ship's engineers in both UMS and watchkeeping engine rooms, ensuring safe operation of the ship's machinery, while adhering to international maritime regulations.

I also become familiar with safety drills, environmental compliance and shipboard documentation.

Working in a high-pressure environment alongside engineers from multiple different backgrounds taught me to be adaptable, safety-conscious and detail-oriented, while also dealing with language barriers and working in a noisy environment. My training gave me a solid foundation in engineering principles, teamwork, and the importance of clear communication in an environment where safety is critical.

In this role, I was responsible for the packaging and dispatch of baked goods, as part of a small team in a family run bakery. My role involved picking, packing and labelling orders to ensure daily schedules and customer requirements were met, while maintaining food safety and hygiene standards. I worked closely with the different teams within the bakery, to streamline dispatch operations and ensure customer satisfaction. Throughout my time in this role, I contributed to maintaining a safe, clean and organised working environment and dispatch warehouse. I also operated equipment such as pallet trucks, and regularly used correct manual handling procedures, while dealing with large orders.

In this role as a customer assistant in a small family run fuel station and convenience shop, I was responsible for delivering friendly and efficient service to a wide range of customers. My duties included operating the till, processing fuel and shop transactions accurately, restocking shelves, while maintaining cleanliness and organisation across the shop floor and forecourt. This role allowed me to develop strong communication skills through daily interaction with customers and suppliers, dealing with customer queries and handling small complaints. I also followed health and safety protocols, in adhering to fuel handling regulations, ensuring a safe environment for both customers and staff.