Page 7: of Marine News Magazine (January 2022)

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By the

Numbers

COVID-19’s Impacts on Maritime Training

There are few human endeavors untouched by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and maritime training has argu- ably been affected more than most. This year’s Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) report from the World

Maritime University New Wave Media and Marine Learning Systems uncovers the challenges that have arisen and the industry’s response to those challenges, but more explores how those challenges and responses will permanently shape the future of maritime training.

While past surveys have revealed a consistent trend of growth in training budgets for vessel operators, roughly 30% saw a decrease in this year’s training budget when compared to last year’s, and an additional 50% saw no increase in their budgets. Many of the respondents cited COVID-19 as the cause of the reduction or lack of growth.

On the other hand, 45% of maritime training institutions increased their training budget over the previous year, and nearly 60% indicated that they expected their budgets to increase for the upcoming year. This may be related to the need to acquire new training infrastructure—particularly for delivery of training online—precipitated by the pandemic.

Notably, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote, online training tools. This increase is expected to persist, as operations return to normal. More than 75% of operators who responded indicated that they had moved nearly all in-person training to remote methods. These are expected reactions as nearly 90% of operators report that their ability to deliver training has been affected by travel restrictions and other impediments. More than 60% of re- sponding operators expect that this training slowdown has created a backlog which will have to be cleared as the effects of the pandemic ease.

Still, it’s clear from the report that face-to-face training remains a critical component of mariner training, and more than two ? fths (41% strongly agree or agree) of respondents believe their training delivery practices, such as the tools and methods used, will return to pre-COVID status once the pandemic is over. Even more operators, nearly half, are optimistic and believe that training levels will return to pre-pandemic levels. A further 29% somewhat agree that pre- pandemic levels of training will return.

Read the full report at https://magazines.marinelink.com/NWM/Others/MarTID2021 www.marinelink.com MN 7|