University of Cebu

The German shipping principal Reederei Claus-Peter Offen (GmbH & Co.) KG recently launched their cadetship program in cooperation with CF Sharp Crew Management, Inc. and the Norwegian Training Center-Manila (NTC-M) on July 26, 2007 at the AVR Dormitory Complex of METC. 

The affair was an avenue for the students, NTC-M and CF Sharp to come together, with the cadets and cadettes mostly on the receiving end of the two organizations’ informative and inspiring words, while they (students) themselves busied with entertaining numbers. 

During his inspirational message, Capt. Kjell Hjartness of CF Sharp was heard saying “Ten to fifteen million is appropriated for this career-building program, and this won’t be easy (on the cadets).”
 
2/M Robert Maluya of the METC Shipboard Training Office was also in attendance, and nudged the cadets to move forward, despite the “10 of the 116 UC cadets (of the other shipping principals and manning agencies) who already quit.” 

The parents and relatives too were welcomed guests as they were each acknowledged when their son/daughter’s name was called. In addition, each scholar’s kin joined them onstage during the pinning ceremony participated by all of the 26 engine and deck cadets of the Batch 14th and 15th NTC-M cadets. Caps and t-shirts were also given. 

Towards the culmination, the memorandum of agreement of each cadet was signed, followed by the open forum, where even the relatives asked questions for clarifications.    

CF Sharp is presently the third largest crew management organization, handling 35 shipping principals, with 8,700 seafarers on board, and 6,000 crew on vacation.  The manning agency also boasts of a “Family Center” which could assist the seafarers’ families in sending their packages to their loved ones abroad.  Currently, CF Sharp handles the cadets of Reederei Claus-Peter Offen (GmbH & Co.) KG. with the assistance of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) through her Norwegian Training Center in Manila (NTC-M).