The first 2016 intake of the National Cadet Programme will be heading out to sea in the next few weeks.
The 24 male and female students from around the country were welcomed as “new ambassadors for South Africa” at an event in Durban yesterday (Tuesday), attended by key stakeholders from the maritime industry, shipping lines, government and education institutions.
The National Cadet Programme was aligned to the Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy initiative launched by the Presidency to unlock the economic potential of the country’s oceans and was managed by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) , SAIMI project manager Odwa Mtati said.
The cadet programme offered practical training and training berths enabling students to obtain internationally recognised STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping) qualifications, Mtati said.
The project has been running since 2010, initiated by South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Department of Transport (DOT) and the Transport, Education and Training Authority (Teta).
With the pre-sea component completed, the cadets will be developing their sea legs on board foreign-going vessels, including time on container vessels, general cargo vessels, tankers and on some highly specialised ships as well.
Mtati said more than a dozen shipping lines had worked in partnership with the National Cadet Programme to offer training berths to South African seafaring cadets, and SAIMI welcomed interest from any shipowners or operators in becoming partners to the programme.
The training costs are covered by the National Skills Fund. The programme is open to students who have completed the first two semesters of the maritime studies, marine engineering or mechanical engineering diploma course. These studies must be completed at a university of technology or a suitable TVET college.
The next intake for 2016 will take place at the end of March.
