The Thematic Network on Maritime Education, Training Mobilty of Seafarers (METNET): The Final Outcomes

Jens-Uwe Schröder, Malek Pourzanjani, Günther Zade

World Maritime University

Schröder

Pourzanjani

Zade

Herrmann Kaps

Gesellschaft für angewandten Umweltschutz und Sicherheit im Seeverkehr (GAUSS)

Kaps

Abstract

METNET was a thematic network on the subject of Maritime Education and Training, and mobility of seafarers. This programme was carried out under the Fifth Framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration and was carried out in the field of "Competitive and Sustainable Growth".

The main objectives of METNET were to improve the quality, harmonize the contents and extend the applicability of Maritime Education and Training (MET) for ship officers in the EU. Improved MET quality is perceived to increase the competitiveness of ship officers, create more jobs for EU citizens, and make EU shipping safer, more environmentally acceptable and efficient. Harmonized MET contents will help to develop the basis for a future European ship officer, improve mobility, the mutual recognition of ship officers certificates and facilitate cooperation between MET institutions. Extended MET applicability will make the ship officer career more attractive and will meet the existing demand for national ship officers in most EU countries by an increased supply that will also ensure the provision of ex-ship officers for positions in the maritime industry ashore. Taken together, meeting of METNET objectives was one element in providing sustainable growth in competitiveness of, and mobility within, European shipping.

This paper will provide a short overview of the programme, and will concentrate on the main outcomes, in particular those related to the EU policy-making issues.

Keywords: Maritime education and training, maritime manpower sector, research network