While the voting procedure for the 2019 SMART4SEA Awards is open, Dr Marina Papaioannou, DNV GL’s Maritime Academy Hellas, says that DNV GL is currently focusing training on digitalization to align with smart shipping developments. In this context, the Academy has been shortlisted in the Training category alongside other distinguished nominees. Dr. Papaioannou emphasized on investing in training noting also that new generation has need of ‘blended learning’. The aim should be to involve Generation Z and keep it interested but also make them realize the importance and use of face-to-face training for their social skills, exchange of knowledge and ideas.
SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SMART4SEA Awards in the ‘Training’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What would you like to share with industry’s stakeholders with respect to this development?
Marina Papaioannou: We are very happy to be amongst such a dynamic group of nominees and we really value both the nomination and the Award as we do believe in the Industry’s acknowledgement through this. We, in DNV GL Maritime Academy, have been working very hard to promote digitalization and offer our training partners smart solutions, which will lead the way to future training.
S4S: What are the key challenges surrounding the training of seafarers today?
M.P: Complexity of regulations, demanding requirements, ever changing environments and evolving technology, lack of time, availability of training experts, smart training solutions, just to name a few. The list is very long and that is why we see it our duty to help today’s seafarers and companies’ by providing them top quality training with the best of experts, flexibly and measured to their needs and priorities.
S4S: In what way do you believe training needs to be developed in order to keep up with industry’s dynamic environment and technological developments?
M.P: We strongly believe that digitalization and smart training is the way forward if we are to keep up with the developments in all fields, although, one should not expect classroom training to be fully substituted as it is the only way to work on soft and technical skills combined. Blended learning will be what we will be seeing more of in the future.
S4S: How training in shipping could be developed to meet the needs of Generation Z?
M.P: Again, blended learning, is what should be pursued if shipping wants to keep up with Generation Z, a generation that has been using the internet extensively as well as social media. The aim should be to involve this generation and keep it interested but also make them realize the importance and use of face-to-face training that helps social skills and promotes exchange of knowledge and ideas.
S4S: What is your key message to the industry stakeholders with respect to the future of maritime training?
M.P: Investing in training is as good as investing in your company’s healthy development, safety and future. The return is immense and can be measured.
You may cast your vote for DNV GL Maritime Academy at 2019 SMART4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 21st of December 2018!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.