MTC to Inspect Maritime Training Centers

Maritime training centers and schools offering maritime safety courses will be inspected by the Philippines Maritime Training Council of the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure they produce seafarers who meet the standards of the global maritime industry. DOLE said in a statement over the weekend that the MTC will inspect maritime training providers in accordance with the 1978 Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Convention.

MTC has begun inspecting the maritime training providers' facilities for maritime safety courses and applications for the mandatory management training courses for the Filipino seafarers.

The Philippines, as a signatory to the 1978 STCW Convention, is included in the IMO's White List consisting of nations where maritime firms and principals all over the world get the maritime crew they employ for their vessels. In the same statement, Brion said the MTC formulates training standards and continuously regulates, supervises, and inspects maritime training centers offering IMO courses required under the STCW Convention. The council is composed of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Maritime Industry Authority, Professional Regulations Commission, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Telecommunications Commission. Source: Visayan Daily Star