ICS puts big money into bursaries for schools

Projects on the go for ship’s agency standards THE SOUTH African branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers has been actively involved in education and training for shipping-related business for many years. It offers correspondence courses at various levels, with the education arm of the Institute internationally covering the full spectrum of knowledge and skill requirements in this industry, says line executive Alison Sibbald. “These qualifications are internationally recognised. The Institute, which represents professionals working in all aspects of the shore-side shipping business worldwide, has gained a global reputation for providing a first class education to the shipping profession that enables companies to position their staff in a highly competitive market,” she says. The Understanding Shipping course, an introductory course developed mainly by the South African branch and now introduced in other parts of the world, has also been offered in three schools that follow the Maritime Studies curriculum. These include Simon’s Town High, New Forest High and Tisand High. The South African branch recently awarded 10 bursaries for the courses to learners at these schools. From next year the ICS Educational Trust Fund in London will offer bursaries to the value of £2000 per annum, equating to approximately 25 bursaries, to students at these schools. Additionally the branch has been involved with two Asabosa (Association of Ships Agents and Brokers of SA) projects to develop job profiles and unit standards for ship’s agency and will soon register the Institute courses against these standards. The project was supported by Teta (Transport Education Training Authority) to facilitate skills development in the industry and to progress the registration of unit standards. According to Sibbald companies and individuals will soon be able to attain recognisable qualifications in line with the Skills Development Act and in accordance with the requirements of Teta. “With the Institute courses becoming registered against these qualifications and unit standards, learners and their employers will benefit not only from the international accreditation already in place but also from the local skills development framework set up by SAQA and Teta,” says Sibbald.