Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) is cementing its role to midwife professionals that will drive the agenda of awakening the sleeping giant in the name of the blue economy. The institution has now developed specialized courses aligned to the emerging industry needs that are anchored on Competence-Based Education Training by providing flexible modular and short courses training to make education more accessible, especially for professionals who want to upgrade their skills.
To be able to achieve this feat, BMA is working closely with shipping lines, shipyard operators, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the industry regulator, and the Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA) to ensure that the curriculum addresses new current and future industry needs. The curriculum is tailored in a manner that addresses existing professionals’ needs, helping them to advance or transition into roles while keeping them updated on industry trends and regulations. The academy has also partnered with shipping lines to provide apprenticeships, internships, or work-study opportunities.
To tap into the existing training capacity, BMA is encouraging seasoned maritime professionals to join the institution as instructors, offering them flexible teaching schedules, part-time options, and professional development opportunities. It collaborates with international maritime institutions and industry experts for exchange programs or guest adjunct lectures, enriching the teaching experience.
The Academy has invested in state-of-the-art simulators to replicate real-life shipboard scenarios, offering students a hands-on experience without requiring physical ships Incorporated Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) into training modules. This is in line with the industry’s evolution towards automation and digitalization, which offers training in autonomous ship operations, digital navigation, and data-driven decision-making.
The Academy has ensured that the institution’s programs meet international standards and are accredited by global maritime bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to boost the employability of BMA graduates globally.
The Academy has a robust alumni network to foster mentorship opportunities, internships, and job placement for current students. The alumni also provide valuable feedback on how training can evolve to meet real-world demands. The alumni have established strong job placement services to help graduates transition into maritime careers with ease.
BMA runs programs encouraging underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities, to pursue careers in the maritime sector. This is done by offering support systems, such as mentorship programs and cultural awareness training, which is vital in an industry that operates on a global scale with multinational crews and organizations.
BMA is working closely with maritime industry players and government bodies to develop comprehensive outreach campaigns. This includes career fairs, career days, workshops, and school stops where professionals from the maritime sector explain the range of career paths such as seafaring, engineering, logistics, and conversion courses.
To address the challenge of the high cost of training, the academy is collaborating with maritime companies, shipping lines, and government agencies to offer sponsored training programs. The Academy is also collaborating with the National Government, the Constituency Development Fund, Non-Profit-Making Organizations, and Government Agencies that offer scholarships or funds for training in critical areas.
The Academy is providing potential students with clear information about the salary expectations for various career paths, emphasizing the stability and security of maritime jobs, especially in essential areas like global trade in logistics. BMA is creating a bridge program for students or professionals from non-maritime backgrounds, showing them how they can transition into maritime roles. This targets those with existing degrees such as Electrical engineering to Electro Technical Officer, Mechanical Engineering to Marine Engineering among others.
BMA is in discussions with national and international regulatory bodies to advocate for subsidized training costs in line with the industry’s importance to global trade and national economies. It is also working with government vocational and technical education initiatives to position maritime training within broader national skills development programs.
The academy ensures trainers undergo continuous professional development training to stay updated on new technologies, regulations, and best practices in maritime operations. Trainers often need specific certifications that are internationally recognized by IMO to ensure that they meet global standards. This, therefore, requires the Academy to update curricula to include the latest technologies, such as simulators, AI systems, and digital navigation tools used in maritime operations.
The Academy has also aligned the training content with international standards, including the IMO’s Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Trainers need to understand and adhere to these standards in their learning.
BMA has developed programs to help trainers develop teaching skills, including instructional techniques, assessment methods, and the use of modern educational technologies. It also organizes workshops and seminars to help trainers understand complex maritime issues such as environmental protection, ship safety, and emergency response.
Trainers receive specialized training on how to use these tools effectively to simulate scenarios like ship navigation, cargo handling, and crisis management. Trainers are taught to combine traditional classroom instructions with digital platforms, enabling more flexible and accessible education.
The Academy has also ensured that less experienced trainers often work alongside senior professionals to improve their teaching methods and maritime knowledge. Also, it has developed programs that have systems where trainers can review each other’s courses and methods, providing feedback and fostering continuous improvement.
The Academy exchanges and collaborates with global maritime academies and training centers. Trainers benefit from exposure to different teaching approaches and the latest global maritime trends. Trainers are also encouraged to participate in global maritime forums and conferences, where they can gain insights into emerging industry trends, safety protocols, and new technologies.
The Academy’s trainers’ teaching effectiveness is often assessed through student feedback, peer reviews, and performance metrics. Based on the assessments, trainers receive guidance on areas needing improvement. Trainers are also encouraged to continuously improve their teaching strategies to cater to different learning styles, enabling a more adaptive and inclusive educational experience.
The academy has formed partnerships with shipping companies and fleets to secure sea time opportunities for their cadets. These agreements help to ensure that students have access to training berths on ships, where they can complete their required sea time.
The Academy is keen on placements in maritime-related industries like offshore oil and gas, port operations, or marine engineering facilities. While these placements don’t substitute for sea time, they can provide relevant experience in seafaring contexts.
The Academy is also collaborating with other international maritime schools and shipping companies to give students opportunities to complete sea time on foreign-flagged vessels.
International sea time exchanges broaden the range of vessels and ship routes available to cadets. Enhanced bilateral agreements where cadets from one country can complete sea time on vessels flagged in another country are increasing access to training opportunities.
The Academy has adopted flexible course structures that allow students to alternate between on-campus learning and sea time, providing them more opportunities to secure placements without delaying their studies.
The Academy has established career services or placement offices that work directly with students to help them secure sea time positions. They maintain a network of contacts in the shipping industry and stay updated on potential vacancies for cadets. These provide networking opportunities for students to meet potential employers and secure their required time at sea.
The Academy encourages students to maintain digital logbooks to track their sea time hours and shipboard activities. These records are important for meeting certification requirements and ensuring that no time at sea goes undocumented.
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