The Fisheries Training Centre (FTC) was established in 1989. It is a government owned Institute fully funded by the Government of Kiribati but also receive technical and financial assistance from development partners.
Since its establishment in 1989 up to 2006, the Japan Tuna and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had provided financial assistance in the areas of administration and facilities.The former provided Instructors and administrators whilst the latter assisted in the upgrading of training facilities.new development partner, Japan Marine Services has recently provided some training facilities and a Japanese language Instructor.
The duration of the training is 9 months of which one and a half month is Sea Training where trainees are exposed to seafaring life and to carry out practical fishing and survival vessels with competitive skills.
The Institute has been in operation for almost 20 (twenty) years now and there is more than 824 trainees graduated and secured employment aboard various Japanese and other overseas fishing Companies on different kind of vessels such as Purse-seiner, Pole & line and Long-Liners respectively.
Some are recruited through Local Recruiting Agencies, approved by the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development (MLHRD) to carry out recruitment for employment with overseas fishing companies . .
FTCs’ Training Departments and Courses Offered:-
Training Departments
The FTC has five training departments:-
i) Fishing Department
ii) Deck Department
iii) Engine Department
iv) Language Department and
v) Catering Department
b) Training Courses
The duration of the training is 9 (nine) months of which one and a half month is Sea Training where Trainees are exposed to seafaring life and to carry out practical Fishing and Survival exercises. At the end of the nine months of intensive training, graduates are able to serve aboard fishing vessels with competitive skills.
The following training courses are offered in each respective department:-
i) Fishing Department
Fishing techniques: Purse-seiner, Pole & line and Long Line—fishing gears preparation, Application, Maintenance and repair, Fish handling
ii) Deck Department
Seafaring practice—Watch-keeping, safety and survival, First-aid, Ship maintenance/handling, Rope-work and Fire-fighting
Human Relation (Self-discipline, Work-stress management, Personal Cleanliness & hygiene and Alcohol Awareness)
iii) Engine Department
Basic Engine Knowledge—Basic engine types (2/4 Stroke), Systems (Fuel, Lubricating oil, Cooling, Air Start), Stern arrangement (shafting), Battery Operations, Tools Applications, Safety Practices
iv) Language Department
Currently, only Japanese language is taught at FTC, by a Japanese language Instructor from Japan Marine Services Co. Ltd assisted by two locals, and the Institute is striving for the introduction of languages from other employing countries like Korea and Taiwan.
v) Catering Department
Basic knowledge is offered to trainees during the course of their training.
