Free online courses set for Filipino seafarers
Sep 13, 2020 • 3 min Read
Filipino seafarers can now access maritime courses being offered by the government for free, the labor department said on Sunday.
The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) has launched online courses especially designed to enhance the skills of maritime workers. NMP is an agency of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Aside from upskilling, NMP is also offering personal safety courses, among which are STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention in Maritime Sector (SHAPIMS) and the Prevention of Alcohol and the Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS).
NMP Executive Director Joel Maglunsod said the safe and free learning platform is an alternative to classroom-based education that Filipino seafarers can access while in the comfort of their homes or workplaces.
“This is our way of keeping our seafarers active and productive whether they are at their respective homes spending quality time with their families, in quarantine facilities, or even when onboard ships. They will be able to receive their Certificate of Completion upon successful fulfilment of the online courses,” Maglunsod said.
The safety courses were developed as part of the agency’s corporate social responsibility, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), geared towards addressing psychosocial issues in the maritime industry which is now implemented in nautical schools and private training centers in the country.
The schedules of personal safety and prevention courses are: SHAPIMS on September 16 and 30; October 14 and 28; November 11 and 25; and December 9; and PADAMS on September 17; October 1, 15, and 29; November 12 and 26; and December 10, 2020.
Another free online course that NMP has on deck is the Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers (GSTS) scheduled on September 15, 29, October 13, 27, November 10, 24, and December 8.
This course offering is part of the agency’s sustained commitment in promoting gender equality and in addressing gender-related problems and issues in the maritime sector, such as the limited awareness on GAD concepts among seafarers caused by lack of interventions for seafarers as a specialized workforce group.
Meanwhile, in its effort to sustain its mandate in providing quality service through upgrading and specialized training programs, NMP continues to maintain and upgrade its facilities and its pool of competent instructors.
Those interested to take the training courses are encouraged to visit the NMP website at www.nmp.gov.ph or visit the agency’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ nmptrainingcenter) where updates and relevant information on NMP programs are posted.
Also, NMP enjoins those who wish to validate the authenticity of their seafarers-employed with NMP issued certificates to visit www.verify.nmp.gov.ph. Likewise, it directs those interested in the agency’s research undertakings to visit the NMP website and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to disseminate the agency’s completed researches, present its research agenda, and engage the industry stakeholders to collaborate in its research activities.
Further, NMP encourages OWWA registered seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) and Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from OWWA.
DOLE News Release
