NMP LAUNCHES FREE ONLINE COURSES
TACLOBAN CITY – With the presage of the “new normal” brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), the only government-owned maritime training and research in the country, has launched its online courses on STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Maritime Sector (SHAPIMS) and Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS) on 19-20 August 2020, respectively.
Available FREE to all prospective and experienced seafarers, aforementioned courses were developed as part of the corporate social responsibility of NMP, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to address psychosocial issues in the maritime industry which are now implemented in maritime schools and private training centers in the country.
It can be noted that the current COVID-19 situation accelerated the adoption of an alternative learning or flexible learning systems, including online learning by all educational and training institutions.
NMP’s offering of FREE online courses using Google Classroom and Google Meet applications is aimed at providing a safer alternative and cost-effective solution to ensure that trainees have the access of the same quality training offered during face-to-face sessions within the safety and comforts of their homes or workplaces.
“This is our way of keeping our seafarers active and productive whether they are at their respective homes spending quality time with their families, in quarantine facilities or even when onboard ships. They will be able to receive Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the online courses”, said NMP Executive Director Joel B. Maglunsod.
The positive response of participants encouraged NMP to continue offering the said online courses on the following schedules:
SHAPIMS – September 2, 16 and 30, October 14 and 28,
November 11 and 25, and December 9
PADAMS – September 3 and 17, October 1, 15, and 29,
November 12 and 26, and December 10
Likewise, with the sustained commitment and hope for gender equality and along with the need to address gender related problems and issues in the maritime sector, specifically the low level of awareness on GAD concepts among seafarers caused by lack of interventions for seafarers as a specialized workforce group, NMP will also offer a FREE online course on Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers (GSTS) and is set to be conducted on September 1, 15, 29, October 13, 27, November 10, 24 and December 8.
Meanwhile, in its effort to sustain its mandate in providing quality service through upgrading and specialized training programs, NMP continues to maintain and upgrade its facilities and its pool of competent instructors. Those Interested to take the training courses may visit the NMP website @ www.nmp.gov.ph or visit the agency’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ nmptrainingcenter) where all updates and relevant information on NMP programs are available.
Also, in its effort to sustain its mandate in providing quality service through upgrading and specialized training programs, NMP continues to maintain and upgrade its facilities and its pool of competent instructors.
Interested stakeholders who wish to validate the authenticity of their seafarers-employed with NMP issued certificates may visit www.verify.nmp.gov.ph. Likewise, those interested in NMP research undertakings may visit the NMP website and access the e-Research Information System Portal which is designed to disseminate NMP completed researches, present the Research Agenda, and engage the industry stakeholders to collaborate in the research activities.
Further, NMP encourages OWWA registered seafarers to avail of the NMP-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) and Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) which entitles the beneficiary to receive financial assistance for training costs from the OWWA.