Maritime training gets added boost |06 August 2012

The donation will allow the MTC to better train students, especially those learning navigation and marine mechanics.

A ceremony was held recently at the SPA’s conference room at the New Port, where a memorandum of understanding was signed to this effect.

The MTC was represented by director Brian Hoareau and the SPA by its chief executive Lt Col Andre Ciseau.

Also present were the chairman of the SPA board, Philippe Michaud, and a number of maritime school students.

The partnership is in line with the SPA’s corporate social responsibility, and under the agreement, the SPA will provide technical cooperation, a boat, an engine and floaters.

Mr Hoareau said this partnership is an important one and with the SPA setting the ball rolling, he asked other relevant organisations and partners to step forward and show their support to the institution.

“We are always ready to welcome new partnerships,” he said.
Speaking about the boat and equipment received, he said it will help the students in their ship maintenance modules.

Lt Col Ciseau said that after the SPA was set up in 2004, they made it a priority to give support to other organisations, so that they can also develop their capacities.

“We will have professionals in the SPA to develop training programmes where and when necessary, and we can also give any other types of relevant assistance that they ask of us, so that the young people studying there can later on contribute to the maritime sector and also to their country’s economy,” he said.

Mr Ciseau also said that they had been previously taking in MTC students on work attachments, but that now things have been more formalised and every year from now on, they will take on a minimum of eight students, mainly those studying navigation and marine mechanics and electronics.