MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has developed training standards for STCW mandatory training courses to ensure that the maritime education and training (MET) for aspiring Filipino seafarers are structured in accordance with written programs, methods, as well as media of delivery, procedures, and course materials necessary for the achievement of the prescribed standards of competence under the STCW Convention 1978, as amended.

MARINA Officer-in-Charge Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr emphasized that this is the first time for the Philippines, as a party signatory to the STCW Convention 1978, as amended, to develop and issue such training standards. In the past, all training courses being implemented and conducted in the country were based on the model courses published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“I am confident this will create positive impact on the quality of maritime education and training in the Philippines, thereby ensuring meaningful learning experiences for Filipino seafarers manning and serving domestic and internationally-flagged vessels,” Vice-Admiral Vingson said.

The training standards issued through STCW Advisory No. 2019-05 were results of the series of collaborative meetings, workshops, and other related activities between the MARINA, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and other maritime education and training stakeholders.

There are 54 STCW mandatory training courses: 32 are full courses and 22 are refresher courses. Out of these 54 STCW mandatory training courses, the MARINA initially issued the minimum training standards for 23 courses under STCW Advisory No. 2019-05.

The training standards for the 31 remaining courses are currently being developed by the Maritime Education and Training Standards Supervisors (METSS) and the Research and Development Division (RDD) of the MARINA – STCW Office, with the assistance of several SMEs from the industry.

The said training standards are targeted to be completed by the end of 2019.

STCW Advisory No. 2019-05, which included the list of STCW mandatory training courses as annex thereof, together with the 23 training standards that were issued by MARINA, is available and can be downloaded at through the MARINA – STCW Office website (www.stcw.marina.gov.ph).