During the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Limassol Forum, Marvin Bielek, Project Manager and Instructional Designer, MINTRA, noticed that modern technologies develop at a lightning speed and are adopted by our industry quicker than ever.
Seafarers do not have any other choice than to keep up with the technological evolution. And it is the responsibility of everyone in the maritime industry to support the upskilling and futureproofing of global crews to help them become our crew of the future. We can only achieve this by ensuring that training delivers to the point. We need to utilise the most effective learning methodologies and technologies to ensure the largest impact possible on the development of the current as well as the next generation of seafarers.
How to deal with the ongoing Technological Development
We are currently witnessing an increase in the use of Augmented Reality onboard. By the end of this year there will be an estimated 1.4 billion users of AR devices. 63% of companies that adopt AR are using it for training and education. Also, maritime autonomous surface ships or MASS are on rise and until today, there already more than 1,000 autonomous ships in operation.
Another technology trend is “big data”. Data collection and solid analysis or predications based on the data can be applied to many areas, such as: competence management for personnel; spare part management and maintenance; for cargo handling and for navigation too. The maritime industry generates 100-120 million data points every day.
Technology and the green transition
Current regulatory changes like the EEXI and the CII, drive green technologies and alternative fuels. The IMO aims for an emission reduction of 50% for all vessels. McKinsey estimated that the cost of Zero-emission fuels would currently increase operating costs by 40 to 60 %.
For now, just using green fuels may not be possible, economically. Owners are looking for alternatives and all technology providers offer various solutions.
Moving forward
It is a challenge to keep up with all these technological advances and certainly, this is actually a key challenge when we are talking about the current skill shortage in maritime, considering that human error is so often listed as a contributing factor for the maritime incidents.
One of the biggest issues that operators constantly battle is improper training. It is wrong to assume that if navigation officers undergo lots of training, they have the knowledge. What they need is appropriate training. Quality over quantity.
New technology has diversified navigational practices. It needs different types of training, procedural and technological solutions.
What are the solutions?
- Better scheduling – ensure training is spread across the whole year, not in one block.
- Microlearning – bite sized learning built up over time, but just hacking a large training in smaller parts does not solve the issue.
- Relevant SME input – first-hand knowledge is critical in presenting relevant information.
- High quality instructional design– not just fancy “slide” design though this helps too, as it keeps the attention of learners.
3 key focus areas for better training
To improve seafarer skills and competence, their training needs to have the following three characteristics:
#1 Modularity: Training has a lot of information. If all is presented uninterrupted, it results in a high intrinsic cognitive load. So, an easy solution is to split the course into small modules. However, a single slide of any presentation does not create a learning module, because it does not have a logical completeness within itself. Modularity is reflected in current learning trends and it is the basis for micro learning. So, whenever you take a micro course or book one for your seafarers, you should keep an eye open if it is a real module with logical completeness in itself or if it is just an arbitrary bite.
#2 Authenticity: Meaning realistic and authentic learning content. It is linked to the real-world experience of the learner and needs the knowledge and experience of a real expert. Only with high authenticity we can achieve learning transfer.
#3 Interactivity: Many academic studies also identify interactivity as a core topic to keep learners’ attention and it is an essential tool to change a behaviour not just for knowledge. For example, interactive training can improve safety consciousness and as a result to enhance safety culture, reduce incidents and avoid findings during inspections. Interactivity should be in line with workplace learning trends i.e. interactive courses, simulation training, AI, VR
Applying these characteristics can lead to a significant increase in competence gain. This means a better return on investment for everybody:
- a better effect for the time learners spent
- a more competent crew for the crewing managers, and
- safer ship operations with less incidents for the ship operators
In general, training needs to deliver to the point. And it can with a good return of investment. But it needs effort and experience.
Above article is a transcript from Mr. Marvin Bielek presentation during the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Limassol Forum with minor edits for clarification purposes.
Explore more by watching his video presentation here below
The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
