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Boat trip gives students a steer on careers in the shipping industry

11/04/2017

University of Wolverhampton students got a steer on careers in the shipping industry when they visited Portsmouth recently.

Six students studying for a degree in Environmental Health in the Faculty of Science and Engineering benefited from a field trip to the Portsmouth Port Health Authority.  They were given the opportunity to board a 1,000 tonne banana cargo ship, the Klipper Stream, at Portsmouth Docks to see first-hand what the role of a Port Health Inspector entails.

They started the tour at the bridge, met the Captain and crew and inspected the cargo hold, engine room, hospital and galley.

Environmental Health Practitioners are professionals who inspect restaurants, takeaways and shops as well as food that is imported.

Andy Lucas, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton, said:  “Environmental Health is an incredibly interesting and varied career and port health is just one aspect.  Although our course is delivered by academics as well as expert practitioners who share their practical experiences, there is nothing like a site visit to give students a flavour of what they might do in their chosen career as an Environmental Health Practitioner.”

One of the students said: “The field trip gave us a great insight into what happens on board a ship and it was useful for us to see some of the things we are studying put into practice. The Port Health Inspector was on hand to discuss how food is imported as well as issues concerning health certificates, spoilage, storage and handling of food, sanitation and welfare arrangements for the crew.  We were also given an overview of how cruise ships are inspected and the measures taken when there are outbreaks of food poisoning and infectious disease.”

Students studying Environmental Health at the University of Wolverhampton undertake field trips throughout the year including a behind the scenes tour of Harrods, watching cases being heard in a magistrates course, touring factories and visiting local employers including steel stockholders, builders merchants and various retail outlets.

ENDS

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Date Issued:  28th April 2017

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