Standardisation of seafarer training and skills formation

This chapter examines the general notion of internationally standardised vocational skills development systems and approaches in the context of economic globalisation. It describes the complexity of the global shipping industry, following extensive labour and capital deregulation. The chapter highlights some of the major differences in the training systems for seafarers across some of the major seafarer labour supply countries and discusses the implications and challenges. It also examines the nature and implications of the variations in assessment approaches. It must, be emphasised that the standards established by the international maritime organisation still constitute a basic benchmark, leaving the larger responsibility for quality training and assessment to the discretion of local training providers and regulatory agencies. The ultimate objective is to establish an international framework within which national training and skill formation systems can supply high-quality skills to the global shipping market.