SQLearn: Digital training to meet new generation needs

While the voting procedure for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards is open, Spyros Goumas, Managing Director of SQLearn talks about his company’s training options for which SQELearn has been shortlisted in in the ‘Training’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. Mr Goumas highlights that e-learning is imperative to the maritime industry, considering the demanding and continuously changing needs. In addition,   the new generation is more familiar to technology, as the young people are born and raised in a digital world. Therefore, Mr Goumas notes, the maritime world needs learning experiences which they could cover the high expectations set by digitally sophisticated trainees.

SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards in the ‘Training’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What is the background and the key drivers behind this nomination/shortlisting?

Spyros Goumas: SQLearn is the first company to use e-learning for the advancement of maritime training, with flexible, interactive and reflective learning techniques. Our services include a library of e-learning courses, the structure of which involves modern technology applications such as 3D animation and are designed according to the theory of distance learning. Additionally, our web-based e-learning system, specifically designed for the shipping industry, is certified by ABS – American Bureau of Shipping. Through our suite of products and services, we offer effective and user friendly training for seafarers, with a great focus on safety.

S4S: What are the key challenges surrounding the training of seafarers today?

Sp.G: Shipping industry is governed by numerous regulations and directives, applied by international organizations such as IMO, and also instructed by large multinational companies which work closely with the shipping market. It is crucial to achieve flexibility for the training of seafarers, and offer quick adaptation to new institutional demands and changes that digitization brings, as well as ensure an effortless management of the training activities. In order to accomplish all the above at minimum cost, e-learning stands out as the best solution.

S4S: In what way do you believe training needs to be improved/developed/optimized in order to keep up with industry’s changing needs?

Sp.G: Technology and education are now aligned and inseparable, while at the same time, technology affects and enhances the training process. As a result, training in the maritime industry, needs to be adapted to offer training without time and location constrains, directly accessible to everybody. Moreover, since maritime is an industry with demanding, constant and continuously changing training needs, e-learning is proved to be the most suitable solution for training.

S4S: How training in shipping could be developed to meet the needs of Generation Z?

Sp.G: Technology is without a doubt an integral part of our lives, especially for the new generation, born and raised in a digital world.  This generation, is not only capable of exploiting new technologies, but has also developed alternative ways of thinking, communicating and cooperating.  This generation expects the information to be presented via images, sounds and movement, to be vivid and interesting.  This is perfectly understandable if we consider the vital role that technology plays in their everyday life. We are obliged to build learning experiences which can cover the high expectations set by digitally sophisticated trainees.

S4S: What is your key message with respect to the future of maritime training?

Sp.G: Safety is of utmost importance and can only be achieved by high quality training and person oriented educational approach.

You may cast your vote for SQLearn at 2018 SAFETY4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 7th of September 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.