A significant milestone was achieved at the NUSI Offshore Training Institute as the first batch of Marine Fitters and Pump Men trainees successfully completed their initial phase of training. This joint initiative by the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA) aims to address the acute shortage of skilled professionals in these critical onboard roles.
The eight-week training program, designed to develop technical proficiency and safety awareness, was attended by 18 candidates selected from the GP Ratings course at NUSI Maritime Academy, Goa. The trainees are now prepared to proceed to the next phase of their journey – a nine-month onboard experiential training aboard FOSMA member line vessels.
A high-profile delegation visited the program, comprising officials from FOSMA, including Capt. Rajesh Tandon and Capt. Kishan Karnad, alongside Mr Milind Kandalgaonkar and Mr Sunil Nair from NUSI. They were joined by representatives from prominent FOSMA member shipping lines, which included Capt Pawan Kumar from Scorpio, Capt Rohan from Bernard Schulte, Mr Vinod Kumar from Elite Mariners, Capt Ashley from Williamsen Lines, and Capt Billimoria from V Group. Senior management representatives from the ISF Group, NUSI’s Academic Partners, and the Institute’s senior faculty members also attended. Their presence highlighted the strong commitment of NUSI, FOSMA, and their stakeholders to the initiative’s success. During the visit, the officials engaged with trainees, assessed the program’s progress, and expressed satisfaction with the Institute’s training quality.
This initiative is a testament to the commitment of NUSI and FOSMA to creating a formal, sustainable pathway for the development of marine fitters and pump men. The maritime industry’s unified effort to address the shortage of skilled professionals is now beginning to yield promising results. With the next batch of 18 candidates scheduled to begin training shortly, this critical workforce development initiative is gaining momentum.
The collaboration between NUSI, FOSMA, and the Academic Partners at ISF Group has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. As the maritime industry continues to evolve, this groundbreaking training program is poised to make a lasting impact on the development of skilled professionals in critical onboard roles.
Marex Media
