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The need for trainees to receive adequate and relevant experience afloat was one of the common themes at the International Maritime Organisation in London on World Maritime Day last week. A series of events were held at the IMO headquarters around the day , which had included presentations to both primary school pupils and teenagers who might possibly consider a maritime career.

On World Maritime Day itself, the organisation hosted an international symposium on Maritime Education and Training on the grounds that "shipping's future needs people". This attracted international speakers and a large audience and focussed upon the opportunities for young people in the maritime industry, seafaring as a profession and the development of seafarer skills through quality MET.

There was some notably frank speaking at the event. The difficulty of finding sufficient training places aboard ship so that cadets and other trainees could receive properly mentored experience afloat was stressed by several speakers, including the IMO Secretary-General himself, in his introductory remarks. Maritime education and training needed to be "fit for purpose", commented Mr Rajaish Bajpaee of Bernard Schulte Shipmanager, while his fellow ship manager, Captain Pradeep Chawla of Anglo-Eastern-Univan, suggested that funding for much maritime education was inadequate, with teachers in many places being under-rewarded and the quality suffering accordingly.

The lack of a positive image for the industry and its effect on the recruitment and retention of the brightest and the best may not have been an original observation, but the failure to improve matters on the "image" front was reflected by a number of speakers. It was pointed out that young people who, in another age might have chosen marine careers had other choices in the 21^st century and were unimpressed by a life in which loneliness, a lack of connectivity and long hours appeared to be what was on offer.

Strategies to combat the negative perceptions were suggested. Professor Jingjing Xu of Plymouth University recommended national policies crafted to promote the maritime career, greater awareness, positive role models, enhanced learning experience and progressive career paths, which might overcome parental doubts and negative social attitudes. Spinnaker's Phil Parry suggested that a more professional and "good old-fashioned" HR policies could go a long way to encourage both recruitment and retention, with employers taking a greater effort to identify and encourage talent within their sea staff to progress their careers.. Interestingly, he referred to a poll he had undertaken within the industry which indicated some 70% of respondents "would positively recommend" a marine career.

There was discussion on the need to encourage the best motivated seafarers to stay the course, and the importance of "behavioural competencies". It was the "wrong attitudes" emphasised Captain Chawla, which caused accidents. But at this interesting event it was agreed that MET needed "an upgrade". 

 

Source: BIMCO; 30-09-2015