How important is the role of education and training for the future in shipping?

I am not sure we need to limit this to shipping, as life-long learning is what keeps people creative, innovative, and young, at least in the mind!
But if we want to speak for shipping in particular then we, in DNV’s Maritime Academy, strongly
believe that investment in training allows companies to take better control of their future.
Competence is built on knowledge, and this leads to greater personal and corporate success.
Current challenges, besides COVID-19, are so many, and developments so fast, that there is no option but to train and educate people to keep your business competitively viable and even create this “added value” that will give you the lead when competence is in the focus.
Mastering these challenges of operating in a rapidly changing world and minimizing risks is a daily operation in shipping and requires a lot of training to run smoothly and effectively.
Our Industry has seen a lot of rapid changes during the last years, with many new regulations and requirements coming into force either due to unexpected events (ISPS Code and the September 11 events) or due to evolving issues on the protection of the marine environment – i.e. Ballast Water and Recycling, safety – i.e. double hull tankers, energy efficiency – i.e. SEEMP, decarbonization and emissions’ limitations and the new requirement for fuels – as well as digitalization and human element related topics, i.e. soft skills.
We have succeeded in preparing our clients for the changes keeping them abreast of developments by offering them training solutions fit for their needs maintaining our quality at the top levels they expect from us.
We in DNV’s Maritime Academy aim to educate, stimulate and empower personnel in shipping companies to contribute to environmentally sound shipping practices, ensure compliance with pollution prevention measures and enhance safety in the maritime industry.

* Principal Academy Advisor DNV’s Maritime Academy Hellas

The answer was provided for NAFS magazine issue 143 in its special report “WOMEN in SHEPPING”