Offi cer cadets
in 360 degree
G simulator.
UPDATING THE CURRICULUM
While digital skills are increasingly important for
maritime professionals, fi nding the time to learn
them during basic maritime training competes
with current criteria and puts pressure on
minimising STCW training, while learning them
after graduation is expensive in terms of both
time and money.
It calls for three core areas to be addressed:
1. Developing maritime professionals’ compe-tence
and skillsets in response to the rapid
development of onboard technologies such as
ICT and sustainable technologies
2. Improving seafarers’ soft skills in leadership
and management with new training programmes
aimed at both furthering their onboard career
and supporting the transition to an onshore
career
3. Establishing bridging programmes that
complement the IMO certifi cate-based education
towards occupational profi les with a wider reach
in the areas of digital, sustainable, transversal
and leadership skills. The aim is to help to bridge
the gaps between shore-based and seagoing
profi les, and the report suggests these pro-grammes
can be established as module courses
to attract maritime professionals for the future
shipping industry.
44 SUOMEN MERENKULKU J FINLANDS SJÖFART
The report also recommends that STCW training
should be expanded, with digital and sustainable
skills integrated within courses, along with
maritime law, business fi nance, remote operation
and other new technology-based skills.
Ultimately, the development of more respon-sive
and advanced training programmes will
create an opportunity for the enhanced mobility
of seafarers. ‘Their experience and competence
will be carried back to technology development
and innovation, both at sea and ashore.
’Such a strategy will ensure that training,
shipping industries, maritime professionals and
– most importantly – technology development
and innovation, will progress towards new
achievements in a more structured, coordinated
and collaborative manner.’
The research was conducted before the
coronavirus crisis and its associated lockdowns
hit Europe. However, the SkillSea researchers
say, this does not affect the fi ndings of the report,
and the Covid-19 situation makes its conclusions
even more relevant. •
The full report Future Skill and Competence
Needs is available to download from
www.skillsea.eu
/www.skillsea.eu
