samudra

SOS Unveils Seacare
Maritime Training Scheme
SOS has developed and unveiled a practical way to add even more value to
its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) companies - by educating, training
and upgrading ratings so that they can work productively, efficiently and safely
onboard CBA vessels.
And from the shipping companies and ratings’ favourable feedback to the pilot
programme, the Seacare Quality Rating Training (SQRT), SOS is confident that
its new scheme, the Seacare Maritime Training Scheme (SMTS), is benefiting
the maritime industry.
SMTS is established in support of the aim to man SOS CBA vessels with quality
seafarers and to cater to the training, re-training and pre-sea training needs of
ratings.
“We started off asking ourselves how could we bring more value to our CBA
companies? What could we do more to do good for the ratings and the
maritime industry?” said Mr Leow Ching Chuan, SOS General Secretary. “The
answer is SMTS.”
The first action that came out of the Scheme was the five-week Seacare Quality
Rating Training at the Wuhan University of Technology-Skaugen Training &
Consulting Co Ltd (WSTC).
SOS devised a
four-pronged approach
which entails:
• Identifying, developing and
implementing educational
programmes for SOS members
and other seamen with the view
to their serving and continuing to
serve on vessels covered by SOS
CBA;
• Continuously identifying,
monitoring and evaluating new
maritime training & education
methodologies & systems;
• Collaborating with maritime
authorities, employers, institutions
and other interested parties
in promoting seafaring as a
rewarding career; and
• Enhancing SOS members’
employability through
continuous education,
The WSTC is the first training institute authorised to provide maritime
resource management training in mainland China. The Centre developed a
brand of Maritime English training programme, known as the Seamaster, to
improve Chinese seafarers’ communication skills through proven methods
such as interactive lessons with English speaking lecturers, assessment
training and more.
SOS and Seacare, with the assistance of Singhai Marine Services (S) Pte Ltd,
chose to work with WSTC to enhance the daily communication skills that all
crew should possess i.e. professional related English for personnel of Deck,
Engine, Gallery and Steward.
For five weeks, 40 ratings immersed themselves in an English speaking language
environment without having to leave their homeland and learned about good
social behaviour, marine pollution prevention, on board inspection, engine
room operation and more – all in English.
samudra issue no.4