Companies support staff upskill abroad

REGIONAL students from PNG had every reason to celebrate when they received their short-course certificates from the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) last Friday.
The bridge resource management (BRM) for nautical science and the engine room resource management (ERM) courses completed all the requirements necessary for the 21 final-stage students to appear for their oral examinations from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).
FMA chief executive officer Mahesa Abeynayake congratulated the marine engineering and nautical science students for their perseverance in completing the programme away from their home and families.
The next step for the students is to attain the certificate of competency (COC) at Class 3 Watchkeeper level in their respective fields.
“The 10 marine engineering students and 11 nautical science students were sponsored by their respective shipping companies to compete for this stage at FMA and this speaks volumes to the reputation of the Academy,” Abeynayake said.
“Consort Express Lines and Pacific Towing Marine Services Ltd, both Papua New Guinean businesses have chosen to send their employees to FMA for upskilling.”
Class 3 engineer Watchkeeper candidate Francis Ngihal said having an uncle in the maritime engineering field fuelled his passion to become a seafarer since childhood.