Better Adapt Training to Industry Needs

''We need to start adapting our training programs for the maritime industry. There are new trades emerging, new technologies... We are looking at artificial intelligence; it's changing the way things are done on ships and on land.''

Manou Bernard, Executive Director of the Comité sectoriel de main-d'oeuvre de l'industrie mariitme (CSMOIM), a consultative body dedicated to the development of this crucial sphere of activity, sums up one of the challenges. In a video available on the organization's website, she presents the results of a survey conducted last winter in collaboration with Groupe DDM, outlining the training needs of unregulated maritime trades.

''In our field, some training courses are governed by legislation–such as captain, engineer and deck officer, whose competencies are regulated by Transport Canada–, while others are not,'' explains Ms. Bernard. When we step outside these mandatory skills, that's when we fall into the non-regulated area, and there's knowledge required to be able to do the job properly.''

Two Examples

The Executive Director of the CSMOIM cites the high-demand trade of ship's cook as an example, which incorporates certain regulated skills.

Learning emergency measures in the event of an evacuation is one such skill. However, managing the inventory of foodstuffs needed for a long voyage is not taught. As far as deckhands are concerned, a greater need for training was highlighted in the maintenance of tools on board a boat.

''The study will be useful for the educational establishments that help us develop training courses. It will also be useful for governments, in terms of orientations and new programs, to understand our needs and support skills development. We want to better support maritime organizations, both on land and on board ships, by moving away from the regulatory framework,'' concludes the manager.

Training needs have been prioritized for five types of trades:

• Ship's cook
• Deckhand, boatswain or leading seaman
• Welder
• Electromechanic
• Occupational health and safety personnel

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