A Year in Review: Looking Back at 2025 at Maritime Training Academy
As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible year at Maritime Training Academy (MTA).
From welcoming new members to the team and celebrating impressive staff milestones, to launching new courses, strengthening our student community and attending some of the biggest events in the superyacht industry, 2025 has been a year of growth, achievement and plenty of memorable moments.
It’s been a busy year, and we’re proud of everything our team and students have accomplished along the way. So, before we set our sights firmly on 2026, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights from the past twelve months.
January: Starting the Year on a High
We began 2025 by celebrating the achievements of our students, with Patricio Barra Tassara named MTA’s Student of 2024. While January was relatively quiet on the events front, we still found time for an important office tradition – celebrating World Croissant Day! It was a small but delicious reminder that sometimes it’s the little things that help brighten the start of a new year.
February: New Faces and Milestones
February brought an exciting new addition to the MTA team, as Russell Stockil joined us as Course Director for Superyacht Management.
We also celebrated an impressive milestone for Matt, who reached seven years with MTA. Seven years is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and commitment that our team brings to MTA year after year.
March: Team Spirit Takes Centre Stage
March was all about teamwork, with the MTA team putting their problem-solving skills to the test during an Escape Room adventure. Split into two teams, Andrew, Keely, Chloe and Tate went head-to-head with Matt, Beth, Vicki and Josh before rounding off the evening with dinner and a cocktail or two.
Outside the office, we attended the Superyacht Charities Ball in Southampton, where we donated a Short Course as a raffle prize in support of a great cause. This was the teams second time attending the event which is always a great place to catch up with familiar faces and then dance the night away!
And, of course, no March would be complete without pancakes! Pancake Day gave us another opportunity to enjoy some fun in the office.
April: A Record-Breaking Month
April was a particularly significant month for MTA. We welcomed a record number of students in a single month, helping us finish the financial year as our strongest to date. It was a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the continued demand for high-quality maritime education and professional development.
We also launched the Student Forum on our student platform, giving our students a dedicated space to connect with one another, exchange experiences, share insights and provide support throughout their studies. Building a strong student community is an important part of what we do, and the Student Forum is another step towards bringing our learners together.
May: Connecting with the Industry
May saw Matt and Beth head to the Palma Yacht Show, reconnecting with industry contacts and keeping up to date with the latest developments across the superyacht sector.
Back at MTA, we launched our LinkedIn Education page, giving students the opportunity to showcase their MTA qualifications and celebrate their achievements with their professional networks.
The team also swapped desks for trainers and took part in a 5K inflatable fun run, with Keely, Chloe, Tate and Fi tackling the course. It was certainly a different way to spend a day and another great opportunity for some team bonding.
June: Celebrations, Courses and Team Time
June was a month full of milestones and celebrations. Beth celebrated an incredible nine years with MTA, marking nearly a decade of dedication to the Academy.
The team also enjoyed a brilliant day at the races where we attended the ‘three Fridays’ evenings at the Goodwood Races, making the most of the summer and with a couple of friendly bets being placed.
For our summer meeting this year we headed to Gosport to catch up with the team which was followed by lunch at Haslar Marina. It was a great afternoon that the team got to reflect on progress and discuss some of the exciting plans ahead.
We also introduced our new student completion packs, providing graduates with a dedicated package to recognise and celebrate the completion of their studies.
July: Planning for the Future
As summer got into full swing, our focus turned towards what comes next. Throughout July, several new Diplomas and Short Courses were in development as we continued to expand our offering and ensure MTA remains at the forefront of maritime education.
July also marked another important milestone – 23 years of Maritime Training Academy.
For more than two decades, MTA has been committed to providing high-quality education and professional development for those working across the maritime and superyacht industries. Reaching 23 years was a fantastic achievement, and one we were proud to celebrate.
August: New Courses, New Opportunities
August was a particularly exciting month for course development, with the launch of one new Short Course and three new Diplomas.
Our new Short Course, Childcare Onboard a Superyacht, was joined by three new Diploma Courses:
- Superyacht Owners Representatives
- Marine Consultancy
- Superyacht Charter Brokerage and Management
These new Courses reflect the evolving needs of the maritime and superyacht industries and our continued commitment to giving students the knowledge and skills they need to progress their careers.
September: MTA at Monaco Yacht Show
September took us to one of the biggest events in the superyacht calendar: the Monaco Yacht Show.
For Matt and Beth, it was their seventh or eighth time attending, while Keely and Chloe experienced the show for the first time. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet industry professionals, catch up with contacts and gain valuable insight into the latest trends and developments across the sector.
September was also another big month for course launches, with three new Short Courses introduced:
- Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
- Offshore Wind Turbine
- Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Policies
With the maritime industry continuing to evolve, developing relevant and forward-thinking education remains a key priority for MTA.
October: A Spooktacular Celebration
October brought a change of pace as Halloween took over the office. From costumes to treats, the team embraced the occasion and created a suitably spooky atmosphere. It was another opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and enjoy some spooky fun together.
November: Welcoming New Team Members
November brought two new faces to MTA. We welcomed Amber as Account Manager and Sophie as Social Media Manager, expanding the team and bringing new skills and perspectives to the Academy.
We also celebrated another staff milestone, with Keely reaching four years with MTA.
As the year began to draw to a close, it was fantastic to look back at just how much our team had grown throughout 2025.
December: Ending the Year in Style
And finally, December arrived, bringing with it plenty of festive celebrations. The team attended the Peel House Christmas Party at Farnham Castle’s Snowflake Ball, followed by a team lunch at the Castle Pub.
Back in the office, we enjoyed our annual Secret Santa and got into the festive spirit with Christmas Jumper Day. It was the perfect way to round off a busy and successful year – with plenty of good food, laughter and time together as a team.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Looking back, 2025 has been an incredible year for Maritime Training Academy.
We’ve welcomed new team members, celebrated years of service, reached new student milestones, launched new courses and continued to strengthen our position within the maritime education sector.
But above all, it has been a year shaped by our students, our team and our wider maritime community.
As we head into 2026, we’re excited about what the future holds. We’ll continue to develop our course portfolio, support our students and graduates, strengthen our industry connections and deliver the high-quality maritime education that MTA is proud to be known for.
There’s plenty more in the pipeline, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Thank you to our students, graduates, industry partners and the entire MTA team for making 2025 such a memorable year.
Here’s to an even bigger and better 2026
Watch this space…