Lloyd’s Register Asia, Dedicated Training Facility

Lloyd’s Register Asia opened its first dedicated marine surveyor training centre in Shanghai, assuring that the Group’s global marine team will continue to deliver the high technical standards demanded by the modern maritime industry.

The Maritime Surveyor Training Institute (MSTI) represents more than an $8m investment for the organisation in the first five years of operations, during which time 200 newly trained surveyors are expected to graduate from the program.
 
“Quality staff training provides the most significant contribution to the continued development of our core product -- the provision of independent technical assurance to the maritime industry,” said Roy Ellams, Lloyd’s Register Asia’s Marine Training Manager – North Asia. “It ensures that we always will have the right skills to support the provision of maritime transport services that are safe for both mariners and the environment.”
 
Ellams said the MSTI represents a new approach to the development of technical competency for the industry, offered at a time when commercial pressures are driving the need for innovation. A key element in that new approach is the appointment of experienced surveyor-mentors who will guide the trainees through the one-year program. Each program will feature 20 trainees and two programs will be held each year.
 
The MSTI’s integrated program consists of seven phases, including:
• a general introduction to Lloyd’s Register’s vision and values, the role of the surveyor and occupational health and safety
• materials and non-destructive testing, focusing on the application of materials rules
• induction into survey: an overview of convention and rule requirements, the classification process from plan approval to ships in operation
• introduction to classification: a closely mentored, on-the-job familiarisation with the application of the classification process
• classroom training in new construction, periodical and statutory surveys (strong emphasis is placed on accessing information for the survey process)
• focused field training led by dedicated mentors (this targets delegate specialisation)
• classroom training: consolidating learning from focused field training (emphasis on project-management and managing client relationships).
 
China was chosen as the location for the Group’s first dedicated training centre due to that market’s continual demand for knowledge development, said Ellams.