A TOTAL of 35 seafarers and maritime professionals have received a Trainer of Training (TOT) on International Convention Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) which is game changer in reaping dividends of the blue economy and marine transportation.
The training was organised by Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) and delivered by experts from International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
“This means that Tanzanian trained seafarers will be recognised and be able to secure jobs internationally in the maritime sector after getting international accreditation,” said TASAC Acting Director General Mr Rajab Moses at the closing ceremony.
Mr Moses said that 23 participants who benefited from STCW training are academicians from the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI), five seafarers’ registration board officers form TASAC and other are from the Ministry of works and Transport.
He said that the knowledge gained will influence curriculum changes in nourishing seafarers and that grandaunts of DMI will be able to secure jobs elsewhere in the world where maritime activities are happening as they will be meeting with international standards stipulated by IMO.
He added that Tanzania has more than 1,400 Km long Indian Ocean coastline and large lakes, which play a crucial role in fishing, tourism and marine transportation which are interlinked with international players who are the members of IMO.
For her part, DMI Acting Principal Dr Tumaini Gurumo, called for youth and parents to opt for seafarers and other marine academic disciplines which have lucrative job opportunities both locally and internationally.
She reminded members of the public that seafarers and other marine related professionals were growing as it does not only comprise of water transportation and tourism, but also other specialties like mining of various minerals like oil and gas among others.
According to her, DMI was producing about 1,000 graduates every year who studied long courses, while the statistics for graduates completing short courses stood at about 3,000 per academic year, and hence, more training opportunities awaited young people who wished to get locally and internationally job promising professions.
