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Source: Gangway
Rod Short, GLOBALMET
Rod Short, GLOBALMET
Extensive knowledge and skills are needed for the responsible realisation of the wealth of the oceans. A comprehensive understanding of the sea is essential. As is often correctly said “to know the sea, one must go to sea”. A period of seafaring coupled with the study of maritime subjects can provide the requisite knowledge and skills for a fulfilling lifetime maritime career.
In addition to its influence on climate, the sea provides food, transport, energy, minerals, pharmaceuticals, relaxation ... It covers over 70% of the surface of the globe, yet we know little about the sea and extensive learning and understanding is required if maritime resources are to be utilised responsibly. A career in the maritime sector offers important work of great interest and potential to contribute to the overall benefit of all people. Seafaring provides many challenges, opportunities for senior responsibilities in a global industry at a young age, substantial remuneration and international travel. Coupled with appropriate learning, it also provides opportunities to move into very rewarding shore-based work in other sectors of the maritime industry.
No longer does working as a seafarer imply a lifetime career at sea. With the right education and training an experienced seafarer has a wide range of fulfilling employment opportunities to choose from when deciding to ‘swallow the anchor’. In addition to the understanding of the sea - in all its moods - the key to a successful move ashore is to prepare by studying at sea.
Modern information and communications technologies, coupled with educational methodologies are countering many of the disadvantages of being ‘over the horizon’ on board a ship at sea, by enabling distance education whereby the seafarer can obtain the qualifications needed for rewarding shorebased employment in the maritime sector.
Gone are the days when, except for a few favoured individuals, the majority of study could only be done at on-shore campuses. While much worthwhile practical learning occurred at sea during shipboard operations, more theoretical education and associated training and assessment mainly tookplace ashore.
Increasingly, today’s seafarers have access to educational programs wherever their ship may be. Through e-learning a person at sea can progress through a comprehensive study program and be tutored and effectively assessed. This can be part of a blended learning program, whereby the e-learning is linked with on-campus classroom and laboratory work. Further development is likely to result in more ships having internet access at lower cost, more e-learning and assessment programs available to seafarers and more linkage with on-campus learning programs. As a result more seafarers will continue studying while at sea.
An industry-wide approach is needed to develop maritime careers which enable appropriately qualified and experienced seafarers to readily move into fulfilling shore based work. This must be supported by education and training for such an employment change. Strong support by industry can ensure the availability and standards for maritime education and training, on shore and at sea, building on established delivery methodologies and linking with developing distance
learning to enable continuing professional development while at sea.
Such a move would go a long way in addressing current serious concerns about recruitment and levels of competence within the shipping industry. Employees and potential employees would see an industry giving due attention to developing a critical resource, the men and women it employs. Seafarers would see greater opportunities to utilise experience and knowledge in worthwhile shore-based careers in the maritime industry. All involved would have a greater awareness of their role and potential in a great and challenging global industry of critical importance to the future of us all.
A collective industry initiative is long overdue.
In addition to its influence on climate, the sea provides food, transport, energy, minerals, pharmaceuticals, relaxation ... It covers over 70% of the surface of the globe, yet we know little about the sea and extensive learning and understanding is required if maritime resources are to be utilised responsibly. A career in the maritime sector offers important work of great interest and potential to contribute to the overall benefit of all people. Seafaring provides many challenges, opportunities for senior responsibilities in a global industry at a young age, substantial remuneration and international travel. Coupled with appropriate learning, it also provides opportunities to move into very rewarding shore-based work in other sectors of the maritime industry.
No longer does working as a seafarer imply a lifetime career at sea. With the right education and training an experienced seafarer has a wide range of fulfilling employment opportunities to choose from when deciding to ‘swallow the anchor’. In addition to the understanding of the sea - in all its moods - the key to a successful move ashore is to prepare by studying at sea.
Modern information and communications technologies, coupled with educational methodologies are countering many of the disadvantages of being ‘over the horizon’ on board a ship at sea, by enabling distance education whereby the seafarer can obtain the qualifications needed for rewarding shorebased employment in the maritime sector.
Gone are the days when, except for a few favoured individuals, the majority of study could only be done at on-shore campuses. While much worthwhile practical learning occurred at sea during shipboard operations, more theoretical education and associated training and assessment mainly tookplace ashore.
Increasingly, today’s seafarers have access to educational programs wherever their ship may be. Through e-learning a person at sea can progress through a comprehensive study program and be tutored and effectively assessed. This can be part of a blended learning program, whereby the e-learning is linked with on-campus classroom and laboratory work. Further development is likely to result in more ships having internet access at lower cost, more e-learning and assessment programs available to seafarers and more linkage with on-campus learning programs. As a result more seafarers will continue studying while at sea.
An industry-wide approach is needed to develop maritime careers which enable appropriately qualified and experienced seafarers to readily move into fulfilling shore based work. This must be supported by education and training for such an employment change. Strong support by industry can ensure the availability and standards for maritime education and training, on shore and at sea, building on established delivery methodologies and linking with developing distance
learning to enable continuing professional development while at sea.
Such a move would go a long way in addressing current serious concerns about recruitment and levels of competence within the shipping industry. Employees and potential employees would see an industry giving due attention to developing a critical resource, the men and women it employs. Seafarers would see greater opportunities to utilise experience and knowledge in worthwhile shore-based careers in the maritime industry. All involved would have a greater awareness of their role and potential in a great and challenging global industry of critical importance to the future of us all.
A collective industry initiative is long overdue.
If you have any thoughts on maritime training and careers, please share them with us - email anneley@shiptalkjobs.com
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