Maritime
OWWA : Free management training to Filipino seafarers
T he 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 Watch keeping 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 P50 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 P7,500 .
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
Based on the OWWA Board Resolution No . 14 , series of 2017 signed by Bello , OWWA will be allocating P50 million as assistance to finance the training of sea-based workers .
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 2 copies of accomplished application form , 2 copies of 2x2 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 .
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