The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) is pleased to announce that the International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) will commence with a South African Cadet Training Programme in 2023. Following an extensive consultation process and audit of the country’s maritime capabilities and capacity, a final agreement was reached on 25 November in Manila.
It is envisaged that the recruitment of the first cohort of cadets will commence during the second half of 2023 and the first sea-going appointments are planned for the beginning of 2024. The trial group of 50 male and female cadets will join foreign trading vessels in order to complete their onboard seagoing experience. Cadets who have passed their competency examinations will have an opportunity at gainful seagoing employment with the partner shipping companies.
There is an unprecedented demand for South African officers and cadets at present, which follows years of advocacy and positioning via the South African National Seafarer Development Programme.
The parties representing the South African delegation in Manila were Mr Mvuyisi Dlakavu – South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), Mr Azwimmbavhi Nelwamondo – South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Mr Pieter Coetzer – South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) and Mr Tshepo Mokoena from the National Skills Fund (NSF). Ms Yvette de Klerk (SA Maritime Advocate) assisted as a facilitator throughout the process.
The initiative will be jointly funded by IMEC and the NSF via SAIMI. IMEC currently has high quality and successful cadet and rating training programmes in the Philippines.
This partnership bodes well for South African seafarers, especially after the recent SAMSA announcement that the South African IMO Whitelist accreditation status has been maintained.
