OWWA Offers Free Management Training to Filipino Seafarers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is set to grant free management training to its active Filipino seafarer members for them to meet international maritime standards.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said OWWA will be financing the Management Level Courses (MLCs) for Filipino seafarers to update and improve programs in compliance with the 2010 Standards of Training and Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.

“We invite all Marine Deck and Engine Officers to grab this opportunity and avail of the training courses. This is one of our programs in raising the competency levels of our Filipino seafarer and for them to become globally competitive,” Bello said.

Based on the OWWA Board Resolution No. 14, series of 2017 signed by Bello, OWWA will be allocating PhP 50 million as assistance to finance the training of sea-based workers.

OWWA active members who have at least three membership contributions to the OWWA Fund and have not yet availed of any of the agency’s program are entitled to the training financial subsidy amounting to PhP 7,500.

The International convention on STCW 1978 sets the qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships on an international level. The certification standards are set to be fully implemented on July 1, 2017.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that the courses offered for Deck Officer are: Navigation at the Management Level, Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for Persons on Board at the Management Level, and for Marine Engineer; Marine Engineering at the Management Level, Electrical and Electronic Control Engineering at the Management Level, Maintenance and Repair at the Management Level, and Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for Persons on Board at the Management Level.

“Filipino seafarers are considered the world’s most in demand in the seafaring industry because of their impressive skills, technical expertise, adaptability, reliability and their ability to communicate in English. Records also show that at least two-thirds of the world’s sea-based workers are Filipinos. We look forward in having a good number of trainees for this program,” Cacdac said.

Interested applicants are required to submit two copies of accomplished application form, two copies of 2×2 photos, Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) and passport, including enrollment confirmation, and certification/endorsement from principal/manning agency that he/she has not yet availed of similar scholarship grant.

The program will be implemented until June 30, 2017 and interested seafarers for the MLC’s may file their application within 90 days from the date of their arrival in the Philippines. (Paul Ang with reports from OWWA)