BSM launches seafarer training initiative
Cadet training in the bridge simulator at BSM's Maritime Training Centre in Cyprus (Source: BSM)
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has set up a new education programme for seafarers. With support from a number of universities around the world, the BSM Smart Academy is intended to close the gap between academic knowledge and practical training.
The move comes as concern grows over the supply of seagoing labour in the future. The world fleet is likely to face a shortage of thousands of officers. As a ship manager, BSM is taking a proactive approach and intends to tackle the challenge and ensure a supply of skilled seafarers through the BSM Smart Academy.
The arrangement will enable nautical, technical, and electrical undergraduates from participating maritime universities to take part in the programme as designated BSM cadets following completion of their first year. This will mean that students will receive not only an academic education, but also practical knowledge close to current industry requirements.
“We enhance the education of future seafarers by engaging with them at an earlier stage,” explained Eva Rodriguez, BSM’s director, HR Marine. “We have found that course contents and standards of educational institutions are often varying. This initiative closes the gap between educators and employers by sharing knowledge, experience, and skill needs between the industry and the educational sector … Seafarer education is costly,” she declared. "However, no education is even more costly."
The tie-up with universities will enable cadets to undergo training and gain experience in realistic work environments both ashore and on board ship. The training will be aligned with BSM standards, ensuring a high level of skill whilst also preparing cadets for life aboard merchant vessels manned by seafarers from many countries. Students will also be trained specifically in the increasingly digitalised work environment on board many ships today.
Initially, BSM will collaborate with maritime universities in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa, with another potential partner in South America. In the first year, up to 100 students are to be recruited for the Smart Academy programme, but this is expected to expand as the company develops its global partner network to open up new seafarer source markets.
