METHAR - Harmonisation of European Maritime Education and Training Schemes
Overview
Background & policy context:
The objectives, systems, schemes, concepts and training methods of Maritime Education and Training (MET) vary considerably among Member States of the European Union. This variety, resulting from mainly historical reasons, has often led to an inefficient and ineffective use of human and financial resources and to a lack of integration of MET in national education and training systems. In turn, this has contributed to the declining interest of young people in a seafaring career. Development along these lines has not only affected the availability of a sufficient number of qualified seafarers for ships under flags of EU countries, but it has also had a negative impact on the provision of managerial personnel with shipboard experience for shore-based positions in the maritime industry. Furthermore, the considerable variety in European MET, hampers the mobility of seafarers within the countries of the EU.
Objectives:
METHAR aimed to contribute to the harmonisation of MET at a European level, by gathering the outcomes from the Concerted Action on Maritime Education and Training (CAMET) involving a wide range of international experts. The goal was to increase the competitiveness of the European maritime industry by improving the level of qualification of seafarers and other maritime personnel, and through a better provision of ship-board experienced personnel in the maritime industry, in order to achieve higher standards of safety, environmental protection and efficiency.
The main objectives of METHAR were to:
- contribute to the development of harmonised syllabuses and their implementation, taking into account the use of modern teaching technologies;
- identify needs for the adaptation of MET programmes to the requirements of the maritime industry, such as the growing use of advanced technology;
- provide better understanding of the new STCW 95 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping) Convention, and suggest a harmonised approach to better meet its requirements;
- enhance the employability and facilitate the professional mobility of MET graduates within the maritime industry and European countries.
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