in intermodal transport, growing anonymity of ship financing and
reduced individual engagement are issues with which MET has to cope - by improved
syllabuses, increased effectiveness, better service and intensified involvement.
Syllabuses
Normally, a gap between training and job requirements exists. MET does
not and cannot always provide everything that is needed on board ships. There is also a
tendency to maintain syllabuses to which faculty has got used to but convenience cannot
count as an excuse for the passive role of MET institutes.
Navigation subjects have to be reduced, other safety and environment
protection subjects - which are subsumed under "seamanship" have to be increased
as well as the commercial awareness of ship officers and their management and leadership
qualifications. Computer-literacy has to be further developed and a greater knowledge of
marine environment matters has to be imparted.
Effectiveness
The resources of MET institutes are not always well enough used.
Occasionally, this may have something to do with a surplus of staff for the number of
students; it is however mostly a result of insufficient management skills and a passive
attitude to change. Most MET institutes have been in the role of an obedient servant for
many years. It is therefore difficult for them to change this attitude towards a proactive
one. MET institutes have to take an active role, have to become equivalent players in the
MET "game" and provide education and training more cost-effectively. There are
opportunities to do so and there also opportunities to make some income from existing
expertise.
Better service and intensified involvement
MET institutes can make a valuable contribution to the development of a
safety culture. It is a matter of attitude. STCW 95 forces MET institutes to develop a
quality assurance system. Tackling this task is also good exercise for developing
attitudes, for questioning existing arrangements, for seeking optimum solutions to
problems, for adapting syllabuses not only to MT but also to MET requirements, to meet the
needs of the industry.
"MET - quo vadis?"
The question should rather be "MET - where are you going?"
than "MET - where should you be going?"
MET should seek a more important role in the three-party game with
shipping companies and maritime administration or in the six-party game with the
additional parties of trade unions, education authorities, seafarers/MET students. It
should leave its role as recipient of "orders", come out of its subordinate role
and isolation
