This brings me to the second part of my address, which concerns the
qualifications of instructors and assessors, which, for the first time have now been
addressed in the revised STCW Convention.
One of the most significant features of the 1995 amendments to the STCW
Convention is that, for the first time, they will establish precise standards of
competence relating to the actual ability of seafarers to perform their tasks safely and
effectively, unlike the requirements of the existing Convention which only stipulate
standards of knowledge, leaving the precise level of competence largely to be determined
by Governments. The revised Convention places much more emphasis on the outcome of
training, i.e. the ability of qualified seafarers to perform their duties competently,
irrespective of the content or the length of the training required. This principle is
reflected in the newly adopted education, training and seagoing service requirements and
the stress that is given to the importance of the on board training, in particular.
To reinforce the uniform implementation of the new STCW standards even
further, there are provisions in the revised Convention that will require Governments to
demonstrate that the training and certification systems approved in their countries
incorporate quality standards which are subject to independent evaluation (Section A-I/8
of the STCW Code refers).
In accordance with the provisions of section A-I/6 of the STCW Code,
each Party is required to ensure that all training and assessment of seafarers for
certification under the Convention is structured in accordance with written programmes as
are necessary to achieve the prescribed standards of competency.
Even more important, in my view, is the requirement regarding the
qualifications for instructors and assessors. Although the need for such qualifications
would appear to have been self-evident, this was not enshrined in the current STCW
Convention. This omission has now been rectified and the same regulation I/6 now requires
that persons providing training leading to a certificate of competency, must be
appropriately qualified for the particular types and levels of training and assessment of
the competence of seafarers. This applies to both shore-based training in a training
institute and to in-service training on board.
