The Marine Training Centre, which is under the ambit of the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development (MLHRD), provides training to I-Kiribati young boys and girls to become qualified seafarers.
Brief Background Information
The Institute was first established in 1967 to train seamen for employment on German merchant ships. In 1969, a consortium of German ship-owners including Bolten, Detjen, Fisser van Doornum, Hamburg-America Line, Leonhardt and Blumberg, Norddeuster Lloyd and B Schulte collectively invested to train Kiribati locals as seafarers for employment on German merchant vessels.
The Institute has been in operation for almost 40 (forty) years and the standard of training changes overtime to cope with the complex shipping industry. As such all courses are often reviewed ensuring that they meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.
There is more than 4,500 trainee’s graduated from MTC since 1967 and presently more than 1,000 has been employed by six German Shipping Companies on different kind of ships such as Containers, Bulk and Gas Carriers’.
a) Courses Offered Meet the Standard Training Certification, Watch-keeping (STCW’95)
The Institute offers the Inter-Departmental Flexibility (IDF) training course to 75 trainees for 18 months in line with the requirements required in meeting the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW’95) and are delivered by qualified and experienced Instructors, properly certified as per IMO regulations.
The course includes Deck-work, Engineering, Steering, Mooring, Survival, and Ship handling along with catering skills.Upon completion of their training, the graduates are recruited for employment aboard overseas merchant vessels as ordinary seafarers with knowledge needed for work in engine room or in deck department.
b) Upgrading and Refreshment Courses
During the intervals of their employment, they are allowed to undergo upgrading courses enabling them to be competent in their respective fields. These upgrading courses are also provided by the MTC, which includes the following; Able-bodied, motorman, Qualified stewards, Cooks, Fitters and SURC (Safety and Upgrading Refreshment Course).Thus, our seafarers regularly return to the MTC for further training to enhance their capacity to cope with the shipping complex industry which continuously changing rapidly.
c) Recognition of Kiribati Seafarers on so called "White List"
Given that the MTC offered training courses in line with the STCW’95, this has enabled the employability of our seafarers in overseas shipping industries and secured the place for our country among others on so called White List.
d)Details of Training Courses Offered at MTC
The following training courses are offered at the MTC and delivered by QUALIFIED and EXPERIENCED Instructors who are PROPERLY CERTIFIED as per IMO regulations.
