‘Do your homework to avoid signing up for bogus training courses’

Ensuring an organisation is reputable is key when choosing an academic institution for further maritime studies. Industry leaders have warned young people to be aware of fly-by-night organisations, saying they need to ensure the organisation is reputable and also to take note of the qualifications they offer. According to Carol Knox, skills programme manager for The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, learners should shop around before enrolling with an institution. “Often an institution will be accredited, but only for certain courses and qualifications. Learners must ensure the organisation where they have chosen to study will be able to fulfil their needs and is accredited for the courses or unit standards they want to do.” Knox said students should also familiarise themselves with how courses work. “Many people still don’t understand the outcomes-based education system and it can be very tricky. Learners must know that because there are no exams, their portfolio is key – and while a portfolio is still being assessed or if they are still obtaining their qualification, they are not entitled to it.” One student, who preferred not to be named, told FTW that he paid thousands of rands for a bogus qualification. “I did not know any better. Not only did I not get a certificate, but they also kept my portfolio and I have not been able to get it from them. When I asked for it, I was told it had been lost.” Describing the incident as horrendous, he said he and his fellow students all felt they had been cheated. “I did not know any better. I read the advertisement in the paper and signed up without doing any background checks on the organisation. I have since found a job in the industry and am learning every day, but I could have been further in my career if this unfortunate incident had not happened.” Knox advises students to refer to the Teta website when checking organisations. “Stories of people being taken for a ride does not bode well for the industry. Sadly there are many flyby- night organisations. My advice to people would be to be cautious, to empower themselves by knowing what they want to do and if the organisation where they are planning to study is accredited for that specific course, and also to get references.” While many in the industry are lobbying for an industryrun academy, this is still far from becoming a reality. “There is a movement calling for such a training body, but it will take time before it becomes a reality,” said Knox. “In the meantime young people should look for organisations that are known and reputable.” Gwen Gerber of Gerber Shipping Academy advises people to read the complete outcome of a unit standard before enrolling for the course. “A big mistake many people make is to read the brief description of a course and assume that is what they want to do. Make sure you know what the outcome of the course is. “Use the Teta website to your advantage – make sure the organisation you are studying with is accredited. Make sure you know what you are getting for the money you are paying.”