A leading North-east recruitment firm has put out a final call for all seafarers to undertake new security training ahead of mandatory deadlines in July 2015.
Genesis Personnel, which has offices in Aberdeen and Peterhead, expanded its specialised training for the shipping/maritime industry to incorporate new training requirements, following amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The two levels of training include, ‘Security Awareness’, intended for seafarers and crew who do not have designated security duties but need to recognise and understand security threats; and ‘Security Duties’ which expands on the awareness course with additional and practical information for crew members with designated duties, who are more likely to face a security threat, such as bridge watchkeepers and gangway staff.
Since the introduction of the new training, the recruitment firm has experienced a large intake of seafarers looking to undertake the STCW security courses and is encouraging the remaining maritime personnel to book up fast as spaces become limited.
The new regulations, which first came into effect in 2012, states that everyone employed or engaged on board ships of any kind, whether deck, engine/technical, hotel, superyacht or concession, must complete formally recognised STCW security training courses by 1 July this year.
Managing director at Genesis Personnel, Wendy Marr, said: “The deadline is fast approaching for seafarers to complete the STCW security training and we strongly recommend potential applicants to book their courses before spaces become limited. Whether you work on board a ship or employ people who do, the STCW security training must be completed by the 1 July, and therefore we are doing all we can to accommodate the demand.
“We have already witnessed a large intake of applicants and we are confident we can deliver the training to those who require it before the mandatory deadline, and more importantly, within an approved Marlins test centre. We now have more than 10 members of staff fully qualified to support candidates, administer tests and certify crew from both of our offices in Aberdeen and Peterhead.”
Catherine Loggie from Marlins, said: “Security at sea and in ports is an ongoing concern for the maritime industry and the IMO is working to improve awareness of the issues. The UK MCA have approved Marlins’ online STCW security training, requiring the test component of Marlins’ online STCW Security courses to be carried out under strict exam conditions, within a Marlins approved test centre. We are delighted that Genesis Personnel now offer this service for maritime personnel in the North-east, demonstrating their commitment to supporting training standards.”
Genesis Personnel is one of the only approved test centres in the North-east to provide and deliver Marlins’ online STCW Security Awareness and Designated Security Duties courses and assessments. The company has also partnered with Marlins for several years on English language testing, using the ISF Marlins English Language test for seafarers and the ISF Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE). These assessment tools are used to assess seafarer’s understanding of both written and spoken English and are run weekly from the recruitment firm’s Aberdeen and Peterhead offices.