Question : Training Programme for Maritime Workforce

(a) whether the Government is aware of the need to
improve the quality of training of Indian maritime
workforce;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the training
programmesorganised for the purpose during the last
three years and the current year;
(c) whether the Ministry is planning to collaborate with
the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship to conduct more such training
programmes and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up welfare
centres in all the ports in the country and if so,
the details thereof along with the name of ports
identified for the purpose; and
(e) the time by which such welfare centres are likely to
be set up in all the ports in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING
(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a)&(b):Improving the quality of training of Indian maritime workforce is constant endeavour of the Government. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai approves the curriculum of training programmes which are conducted by the approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs), but does not conduct any training programme itself. The steps taken to improve the quality of training for Indian maritime workforce in the last three years, inter-alia, include the following:-

(i) Setting up of e-learning portal free of cost for all Indian seafarers;
(ii) Revision of course curriculum for general purpose ratings to increase skills related training from the present 1178 hours to 1394 hours;
(iii) Introduction of Comprehensive Inspection Programme to grade the quality of all MTIs;
(iv) Setting up of Academic Advisory Committee in the DGS to introduce reforms in maritime education and training;
(v) Constant upgradation of course curriculum to comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers including 2010 Manila amendments, etc..

(c): Ministry of Shipping has undertaken a skill gap study of 21 coastal districts through Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The skill gap studies and an action plan for each of the 21 coastal districts have been finalized.

(d)&(e):The National Welfare Board for Seafarers in its 21st meeting held on 12.03.2013 had decided that land may be earmarked by ports for setting up of Seafarer’s Club or welfare centres which could be run in a self-sustaining manner. Seafarer’s Club/ hostel/welfare centres are operational at ports in Chennai, Kolkata, Haldia, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Port Blair, Kakinada, Tuticorin, Gangavaram and Paradip.
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