ICS bursaries create opportunities for high school learners

CLIVE EMDON
HIGH SCHOOL courses in shipping are the ideal launch pad for a career in ship broking, according to the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS). It supports New Forest High School in Durban and Simon’s Town School in the Cape, both of which offer maritime studies courses. Fiona de Goede, administration officer for the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), says five learners from each school are awarded ICS bursaries in their Grade 12 year for the Understanding Shipping certificate course aimed at new entrants in the shipping industry and offered at both schools. The course is also available to employees in the industry looking for an all-round basic background to shipping in a relatively short period. “This is the first step in a lifelong approach to education adopted by the ICS,” says De Goede. Learners who have entered maritime employment progress to a Foundation Diploma and then to the Professional Qualifying Exams which allows them membership of the ICS. This year only six of 64 students sat their final subjects and were eligible for ICS membership. The Institute has 50 MICS (Member of the ICS) in South Africa. They are all qualified as shipbrokers although some work in a variety of other shipping fields. “Currently Durban shipping companies have taken on 15 New Forest High learners for the school holidays to give them work experience,” she says..