Page 3rd Cover: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Nov/Dec 2017)

62 4th Cover

MARITIME TRAINING

Maritime Training Practices Take a ‘Right’ Turn

MarTID – the Maritime Training Insights Database – a historic initiative to study global mari- time training practices, and supported by a comprehensive survey, will close on 31 January.

The Maritime Training Insights Database (MarTID) is an ing programs. Often intended to bridge the gap between standard initiative of The World Maritime University, Marine Learning certifcations and what actually happens in the real world afoat,

Systems and New Wave Media. Intended as the ideal vehicle to these unique efforts fall outside the realm of traditional ‘licensing collect data through a survey instrument, it will focus on the and credentialing.’ That doesn’t make them any less important.

dominant training practices now being undertaken in the global In fact, in-house safety and competency training programs maritime industry. In a world where mariners – despite being often go far beyond the typical STCW course. It is also true bombarded with the crushing weight of regulatory training and that in-house programs tend to be viewed as proprietary as- certifcation requirements – still seem to fnd trouble in way of sets, intended not just to create a safer marine environment collisions, allisions, oil spills and all manners of casualties, it but also to achieve competitive advantage in the marketplace. is past time to stop and assess this important part of the global As this siloed approach continues, it yields fruit, but also suf- maritime industry. MarTID will lead the way forward. fers from a lack of standardization and the absence of bench- marked ‘victories.’ That’s where MarTID comes in.

MarTID: collaborative, confdential and non-commercial Every year following the survey, a series of reports will be

MarTID’s core principles include ethical integrity, objec- published broadly. These reports will provide both high-level tivity and confdentiality. The ultimate goal is to promote the and deep-dive information covering both broad trends as well sharing of information that benefts the entire industry. Mar- as deep coverage of emerging issues and successes. The re-

TID will contain anonymized and secure data on industry ports will grow to be a highly valuable and anticipated source training practices, foci, and outcomes. It will continually grow of information each year – but only if there is broad industry in depth and value as a resource through the administration of buy-in from stakeholders like you. an annual maritime training practices survey. This database will provide invaluable data on current and emerging training Your Help Needed trends and techniques, staffng models, training focus areas, This initiative, founded and run by the three partner orga- training tools, training resource allocation, assessment prac- nizations, requires community involvement to succeed. You tices and so on. It will be an incredible resource to allow each will be hearing a lot about MarTID in the coming weeks and organization to benchmark their own practices. months. Now, your help is needed:

The MarTID survey is focused on training done by mari- • If you work at a vessel operator or maritime training time companies outside the context of shore-based education facility, please make your senior training administrator aware and training leading to STCW Certifcates of Competencies. of this important survey by sharing this article with them.

In other words, this is a survey seeking data on how maritime • If you are a senior training administrator of a vessel op- operators continue to train their seafarers, post-STCW certi- erator or training facility, we need you to complete a survey on fcation. The results collected will be used to provide objec- behalf of your organization. Please send questions to info@ tive and comprehensive data on how the industry manages and MarTID.org or take the survey at www.martid.org/survey.

conducts training for shipboard competencies. The annual collection and analyses of training data will

The aim for this initiative is to provide insights that will aid in help the maritime community gain insights that can lead to enhanced policy-setting, decision-making, benchmarking and enhanced policy-setting, decision-making, benchmarking and optimization of training practices by industry and regulatory operational optimization by industry operators and regulatory authorities at all levels, leading to the sustainable development authorities at all levels. It is hoped that the survey data and its of productivity and safety of vessel operations. It is anticipated analyses will become an important and authoritative source that responding to the questionnaire should not take more than of knowledge for the global maritime community. Please take 30 minutes. The survey will close on Friday, January 31, 2018. the MarTID Survey @ www.martid.org/survey

Why MarTID? Why now? World Maritime University: https://www.wmu.se/

Vessel operators and maritime training centers are pouring sig- Marine Learning Systems: https://www.marinels.com/ nifcant resources into creating best practice and innovative train- New Wave Media: https://www.marinelink.com www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 63

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