DNV has signed a cooperation agreement with Chennai-based Teledata Informatics to provide e-learning and certification of the competence of ship superintendents and electrical officers.
In response to industry concerns over the lack of a unified competence benchmark for superintendents and electrical officers, DNV SeaSkill has developed globally applicable competence standards covering all significant responsibilities.
“With the increasing sophistication of ships and the growing complexity of ship operations, the human element in shipping is becoming more and more important,” said Bjørgulf Haukelid of DNV’s competence, operations and management unit. “The best way to have safe and efficient operations is to have competent people – hence we are partnering with Teledata Informatics to ensure the proper competence of staff in key positions that are essential to economic success.”
Certificate of competency
E-learning courses modelled on the competence standards have been developed and will be offered on a worldwide basis by Teledata Informatics from July of this year. The development and delivery of these courses will be subject to DNV’s training certification scheme, ensuring administrative and pedagogical quality for enrolled candidates. Candidates may undergo a formal certification process at DNV-accredited test centres. The award of certificates provides assurance to shipowners and equips maritime personnel with a credible means of demonstrating their own competencies.
“This is an important contribution to making the marine industry look beyond compliance when it comes to safety. Teledata Informatics was chosen to partner DNV mainly for its domain knowledge in the marine and education industries and its established worldwide network,” said Haukelid.
Perfect match
Director of Teledata Informatics, K. Padmanabhan, added: “DNV has set an example by establishing standards for marine superintendents and our experience in the e-learning sphere found a perfect match in this. We saw this as being very beneficial, as it brought together the means and end of achieving the certificate of competency for the marine superintendents.”
A wide range of industry representatives attended the signing ceremony in New Delhi today, including the Indian Minister of Shipping and Surface Transport, the Singaporean High Commissioner to India and the Norwegian Ambassador, illustrating these countries’ joint interest in having highly competent maritime personnel.
Date: 2005-06-09