Programme to be rolled out in Asia region
The first three graduates of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) new Professional Training Programme for Bunker Cargo Officers have completed their course and been awarded their certificates of competency.
IBIA Chief Executive Ian Adams presented Chen Chao, Mohamed Riszuan and Shahrizal Mohamad with their certificates at the IBIA Asia Forum in Singapore today, July 2. They are the first to successfully complete the three-month Bunker Cargo Officer Course, which has been approved by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
The course, which was jointly developed by IBIAs Asia Branch, Wavelink Maritime International (WMI) and bunker industry stakeholders in consultation with the MPA, aims to raise professionalism through recognised industry qualifications.
In a statement Ian Adams says, IBIA recognises and champions the need to raise the professionalism and competitiveness of the bunkering industry. With the introduction of the Competency-Based Professional Training Programme, we have taken the first step to enhancing employability and the advancement of graduates careers by establishing this industry-recognised qualification.
Simon Neo, IBIA Asia Branch Executive Committee Chairman, adds, Our graduates should be very proud to be the first to complete the Bunker Cargo Officers Course. IBIA is delighted that it has paved the way for standards of certification in the bunker industry and we hope to develop this programme for other industry professionals in the future. The skys the limit.
Speaking to World Bunkering, IBIAs Asia Regional Manager Chong Kam Wah said that the initial course had been highly successful and that registration for the next course is on-going. This programme will certainly continue and the Asia Branch plans to roll it out in phases to other bunker port in the region. We estimate that there are at least 200 potential candidates for the course from the Singapore bunker fleet and regionally at least twice that number.
Asked whether holding the certificate will become mandatory Mr Chong replied: Not in the near future but in the longer term the branch is working with the port authority to have it on a continual re-fresher education basis.
Wavelink is a partner of Singapore Maritime Officers Union (SMOU) and the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and provides maritime education, training and consultancy services for the local and international maritime and shipping industry.
Source:IBIA