University of Cebu

The demand in the maritime industry for apprenticemates has drastically increased, while there exists a general shortage of seafarers overseas.

The shortage is seen to benefit the country as more Filipino seamen are heeding the challenge and plying the international seas in increased numbers.

“Proof of that is the ingestion this year which is close to triple to that of the previous years,” cited C/M George Frange, Assistant Project Manager of the Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA). He was in METC during the launching of the Reederei Claus-Peter Offen (GmbH & Co.) KG and CF Sharp Crew Management, Inc. cadetship program on July 26, 2007 at the AVR Dormitory Complex.

Likewise, shipping companies are also driving the message to the cadets in its clearest form. “Dedication, hard work, constant evaluation will be expected to push (the cadets) to excel and proceed to the next license,” stated Capt. Kjell Hjartness, Director of CF Sharp Crew Management, Inc., the manning agency handling Reederei Cadets. He motivated the cadets by saying, “We aim for all cadets to become Captains and Chief Engineers.”

Among the prominent maritime groups recruiting overseas, the NSA is one of the most aggressive, holding together the funded scholarships of her member principals. The NSA also has projects in China and Russia, but the largest fraction of the men who man their vessels comes from the Philippines.

“It’s obvious that the Philippines has a significant portion of seafarers in the worldwide fleet and goes without saying that that is a reflection of the trust and confidence of the shipowners in Filipino seafarers,” Capt. Hjartness added.

UC is one of the few NSA-recognized institutions, accredited by the Norwegian Training Center, and recognized by 40 shipping companies and principals the world over. “Here in Cebu, UC is the only accredited center where we get cadets for our programs,” informed C/M Frange. “It goes back during the time when the project was just starting and the Norwegians personally went around the country and handpicked select schools to source cadets,” he enlightened. The system of the school and its commitment for the project were likewise looked into beforehand.

The cadetship program of Reederei/ CF Sharp is only one of the many scholarships available for METC enrollees, assisted by the NSA, whereby the undergraduates enjoy tuition fee sponsorship, constant guidance by the company and an international apprenticeship which includes monthly allowances in American dollars. Generally, these Maritime students who availed themselves of an intercontinental apprenticeship obtain a definite employment from their sponsoring firm after receiving their diploma.