Maritime education and training system require a change to make a competent seafarer for shipping industry. A case study from an International Maritime institute

The success of the world's shipping industry ultimately depends on one special group of people: seafarers. These men and women have led humankind in the discovery of the world and changed the global economy. Today, the role of seafarers on board ships has greater importance than ever before and will continue to be key in the coming years. Without motivated, qualified and trained seafarers, the international shipping industry will not thrive. Maritime education and training (MET) is therefore crucial for all parts of the world's maritime community, and particularly for the seafarers of today and tomorrow, as it is the basis of a secure, safe shipping industry. Effective MET for seafarers at various levels provides them with proof of their competence in the particular skills and duties they need to perform on board. However, the effectiveness of MET varies widely, such that having a certificate does not guarantee a seafarer's competency - as demonstrated by the many maritime accidents that continue to occur as a result of human error. Competency must therefore include knowledge and skills, and more importantly, their application in the workplace. This study explores the effectiveness of current MET in developing competency among seafarers. This is achieved by examining and comparing data gathered from interviews with participants with seagoing experience on a competency development course at an international maritime training institute in Australia. The findings of this research show that the participants need more practical studies in their STCW competence development course and different approaches in teaching them. The study concludes by providing a summary of changes to MET on competence developments suggested by the participant interviewees. The findings highlight the importance of teaching practical skills and applying relevant teaching methods to allow seafarers to become competent in the skills they will require in real-life situations. Furthermore, they may serve as an incentive for MET institutions to improve their course content and delivery, as well as for researchers to continue studying this subject further.