NSA has new training director

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu, with its partner the Norwegian Shipowners Association, is strengthening its training on potential Filipino seafarers.

This as the demand of seafarers continues to rise and is expected to increase in the following years, according to Capt. Stein Eriksen, the outgoing managing director of the Norwegian Training Center.

Yesterday, UC-Lapulapu-Mandaue campus hosted the turnover ceremony between Capt. Eriksen and Capt. Erik Blom, the incoming managing director.

UC president Atty. Augusto Go said that the turning over symbolizes their continued partnership that aims to boost the quality of Maritime education in the country and to continuously train top-quality seafarers under the NSA Training Program.

Go said that the continued partnership with NSA is a great help since they are able to encourage more students to pursue their dreams of becoming seafarers.

Since their partnership in 2003, UC and NSA have already given full-free scholarships to thousands of Maritime students. Every year, they give out three hundred scholarships where students enjoy free tuition, school fees, board and lodging and books.

The NSA is present in more than 160 companies in the field of Norwegian shipping and offshore contractor activities with members having provided employment for more than 55,000 seafarers and offshore workers in around 50 different nations.

UC is also one of the leading Maritime schools in the country that has partnered with various companies to assure students of the best training and employment opportunities.

Go said that with the turning over, they expect changes but it’s all for the better and they expect the growth to continue by the years.

The increase of potential seafarers continues despite the concern of the safety of ship personnel.

However, incoming NSA managing director Capt. Blom said that they believe that safety concerns are minimized when good training starts in school. He said for NSA, they make sure that their students are equipped with the necessary training before letting them go on-board to make sure that accidents are prevented.

NSA Philippines Cadet Program of the Association of Shipowners’Training and Education Project primarily aims to improve the Maritime education in the Philippines.

“The program has proved that the Filipino seafarers, given the chance and appropriate resources, could definitely excel and eventually prove that they have the potential to become qualified and competent seafarers, highly competitive in the world maritime market,” according to UC.

NSA captains said that they continue to see the growth of seafarers, especially in the Philippines and most importantly under their program which is assured of full employment opportunities, because Filipinos have the edge in the industry.

The ability of Filipinos to converse well in English, adapt in change, optimistic disposition and the willingness to learn are just some of the reasons why Filipinos are hired by foreign employers in the Maritime industry, said Capt. Blom. — (FREEMAN)