Irish Offshore Training Capability Launched

SEFtec NMCI Offshore Ltd (SNO), a public / private joint venture between SEFtec Global Training Ltd and The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), will be launched on the 17th December 2010 at the National Maritime College, Co. Cork, by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Batt O’Keeffe.

This venture brings together public infrastructure with private enterprise for not only offshore training, but design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and service of training simulators for the global maritime industry.

Focused on supporting the successful and sustainable growth of the Irish offshore exploration sector, SNO has successfully secured the approval of the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO) for its programme of courses. In a sector that is completely focused on safety, OPITO has become the global industries focal point for skills, training and workforce development.

SEFtec, an Irish SME with a global focus, commenced trading in 2004, and is based in a facility in Cork. It has diversified its activities from the design and fabrication of offshore training simulation equipment to training and already operates an OPITO centre in Kazakhstan.

The NMCI, a public private partnership between the Cork Institute of Technology, Vita Lend Lease and the Irish Naval Service was opened in 2004, represents a $80.2m investment by the state in maritime training, and is one of the world’s most advanced maritime colleges.