Testimonials
"My name is Steve Nicholas and I work as a New-build Surveyor on some of the largest cruise vessels in the world for a major Classification Society. The Project I am currently on is 121,000 GRT with a capacity for over 2,800 passengers. I am also a course Tutor and author of Specialist Module Electronic Systems for the Diploma in Engineering Surveying with the International Institute of Marine Surveying.
I had a long career at sea with 13 years in the Royal Navy from 1975 to 1989, 9 years as a Merchant Navy Officer from 1989 to 1998 and was working ashore for a shipping company from 1998 to 2007. The job I started in 1998 with a Company running car carriers was initially challenging, but after 4 years I had worked on most of the Company's vessels, including dry docking and new building, and in short I was getting bored.
In 2003 I was a member of NUMAST and I received details of a Diploma in Marine Surveying through their monthly newspaper. I knew a number of Surveyors but could not find a job in this role. The Diploma cost money and I had no guarantee that it would work, many people told me I would get nowhere and that it was a waste of time. However I decided to go ahead with it, after all I had nothing really to lose except the money it cost. That was one of the better decisions I have made in my life.
I found the study easy in some disciplines, and hard in others, I failed one exam, which when I look back was encouraging because a pass was not a forgone conclusion, it was possible to fail. I re-took the exam and passed with Merit.
The first consequence was membership of the International Institute of Marine Surveryors, and I took delivery of their quarterly magazine, The Report. I decided to write in the magazine on a variety of subjects, fire-fighting, thermal imaging, electro-technical survey's, security and a number of others.
In 2006 they asked me if I wanted to take part in the new Diploma in Marine Engineering Surveying as a tutor, which I did and started making money, a direct result of paying my Diploma fees in 2003. In 2007 I applied to Det Norske Veritas who needed someone with my skills in Germany, where I now live. I moved to Germany in 2008 on this new and interesting phase of my life, aged 50.
Without the Diploma in Marine Surveying I would not have been considered for the position I am now in, a fully qualified (through the Societies training programme) Marine Surveyor on one of the most prestigious projects in the world. I would also not have been a tutor on a course. In 2008 I decided to take a Masters Degree in Engineering and Management with Portsmouth University which I have now passed with merit and am currently applying for Chartered Engineer Status.
When embarking on such a project as a Diploma (that is how I treated it) you should be aware that effort will have to be put in to achieve a pass, after that more effort will need to be put in to make it work for you, sitting at home expecting the world to come to your door will achieve nothing. I have used it to get to the position I am in, to earn money from tutoring, and as an inroad to taking my Masters Degree. My diploma is not considered for a Masters Programme, but as a tutor I received credit, so the Diploma is part of my success and has helped me achieve my goal.
Stephen John Nicholas MIMS; MIMarEst; MIET; Dip Mar Sur
" I completed the IIMS Diploma in Marine Industry Surveying in early 2008. The course was well structured and the modules well written. The overall content of the course was exactly what I required as a good introduction to the overall Marine Surveying Industry (and a vast industry it is!). Certainly the Industry Surveying Diploma is a good basis for the second level option or the more focused Cargo and/or Small Craft Surveying options".
Lee Warltier
"I found the course structure and content very good, easy reading and well laid out. The exam was a could be expected, providing you've done the work, there's no surprise"
Paul Harrington, Surveyor
"Well presented modules and good communication links with the tutors"
Robin Baird
"This was an excellent well-structured course, covering all the basics first to ensure that nothing was missed. There was a good choice of specialist courses to choose from which enabled the course to be tailored for the individual students' needs. The feedback on the course assignments were constructive and helpful"
James Cox
"The course is providing a useful and relevant form of study. I am very pleased to give credit for the excellent student care provided by MPI Group. They are regularly in touch with me and keep me updated on all the training opportunities associated with this course. I fully intend to complete the course, take the final examinations and aim for my Diploma"
Capt M. Knowles Royal Navy
"I am a student on the Yacht & Small Craft Diploma and throughout my first year of study I have found the course administered by MPI group to have surpassed my expectations in respect of the quality of the learning material, communication between the learning provider and student and the general administration of the course. All learning materials have been provided on time and my completed assignments have been returned marked and have included full feedback and advice where found necessary.
My future intentions are to complete my second year of study with the MPI Group and potentially continue my studies to achieve degree status as a Marine Surveyor. So impressed with the standard of learning provided by the MPI Group that I have elected to undertake a 1 week Practical Small Craft Surveyor's Course. I would most certainly recommend this learning provider to other servicemen wishing to undertake distance learning based study. I consider the support and service provided by MPI group has fully met my learning needs"WO W. Ronayne Royal Navy
"The course was well structured and the information presented in a clear, understandable format. I was able to continue working whilst gaining a qualification to start a new career at a later date. I have gained extremely useful information in how to run a surveying business including possible pitfalls. It was also a great help in providing information when renovating my own boat as I now have a deeper understanding of vessel construction, deterioration and problem areas"
G. W. French
"I found that the course provided an in-depth level of knowledge for someone who was new to the business and covered many important areas that are difficult to grasp. I found that the course modules are an invaluable source of information and an authoritative reference library in themselves which I keep to hand on my bookshelf"
Stuart Carruthers
"Just wanted to say that in all my years (not that I am all that old), I have never dealt with someone that is as efficient and attentive to detail as you are (as well as nice). Thanks for ALL you have done for making my registration process work."
John Malool
