Recession does nothing to dampen students’ enthusiasm

If this year’s numbers are any indication, the recessionary environment appears to have done nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of students, according to Fiona de Goede, co-ordinator of TutorShip, the educational arm of the Institute of Shipbrokers (ICS). “It has been a full year since we moved to larger premises in Durban,” she told FTW. “And, if 2009 is a sign of things to come, 2010 is going to be even better and busier.” ICS figures indicate that the learning function continues to grow from strength to strength, De Goede added. “In the past year close to 100 students enrolled for either the foundation or advanced diplomas or progressed to the professional qualifying exams (PQE). The beginners’ course, ‘Understanding Shipping’, attracted 150 entrants.” De Goede also expressed herself satisfied with the industry’s positive attitude to training. “The ICS exam results were made available in early August, and the results have shown that training and education were not relegated to the back seat, despite the recession. “Growth is evident from these results which are a clear indication that the industry realises the importance of a qualification. Thirteen students have completed the PQE, and are now eligible for membership which means they will soon be able to put the letters MICS behind their name.” The institute has also targeted the secondary education sector – with three SA schools having participated in the ‘Understanding Shipping’ course this year. “This,” De Goede told FTW, “is currently being offered on a bursary-basis to matric students who have maritime studies in their curriculum. They therefore leave school with their matric certificate in one hand and the ‘Understanding Shipping’ certificate in the other.” The advantage of this, she added, is that it enhances their desirability when job-hunting. “Should companies seek to place trainees, these candidates are in with an improved chance. Several of these school leavers have been successfully placed in positions in the industry and have subsequently completed the full membership exams.” According to De Goede, the newly-available ‘Advanced Diploma’ is gaining in popularity. “This two-subject course is a logical step after having completed the ‘Foundation Diploma’,” she said, “and the fact that both these diplomas can be put forward to the PQE makes it a very user-friendly manner of gaining ICS membership.”