Maritime educators and trainers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have gained essential skills and knowledge in seafarers’ assessment, examination and certification following an IMO familiarization training course delivered in Manama, Bahrain (24 – 28 November).
The training is based on IMO’s Model Course 3.12 on Assessment Examination and Certification of Seafarers Training (ASECT) for Administrators Trainers and Assessors. The model course is useful for trainers and assessors who are directly responsible for seafarers’ education, training, and certification worldwide. The course helps cultivate competent, appropriately trained, and qualified seafarers who can deliver safe, secure, and environmentally sound operations both on board and ashore.
In line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), IMO Model Course 3.12 covers aspects such as:
- the international provisions for training, assessment, examination and certification of masters, officers and ratings;
- the selection of assessment methodologies;
- the organization of assessments, and
- the issue and control of certificates.
Twenty participants from nine countries in the region (Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia) attended the training course, including representatives from maritime academies, officials from the maritime administration, and training instructors responsible for implementing the STCW Convention.
The regional training course assisted Parties to the STCW Convention from the MENA region in updating their training programmes for seafarers and promoting the effective implementation of the STCW Convention in their respective countries.
This training was delivered through the IMO’s ITCP and supported and hosted by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain.
The Kingdom of Bahrain highlighted the importance of their seafarers’ training institutions and the opportunity to pay tribute to seafarers from the MENA region for their unique contribution to society in facilitating maritime trade.
