Maritime Sector's Qualifications Strategy
and Action Plan out for consultation
In August 2009, The MSA commissioned the Mackinnon Partnership
to undertake a review of the existing draft Maritime Sector Qualifications
Strategy and produce a new version, which reflected the sector's
anticipated skill needs and took account of the UK Commission
for Employment and Skills' latest requirements for such documents.
The Draft, which has been approved by the MSA Board and UKCES as a basis
for further consultation can be found below and we invite all
those with an interest in Maritime Qualifications for the future
to read it and send us any comments
they have.
A draft Action Plan has also been produced detailing what needs to be done over
the next two years to implement the Qualifications Strategy and this document is
also available for consultation and can be viewed by using the following link
Action Plan Draft.
A
Qualifications and Curriculum Strategy for the Maritime Sector
>>
Appendices >>
4 consultation events are also being held in London, Cardiff,
Belfast and Edinburgh over the next few weeks to enable key people
to hear about the Strategy and to provide feedback.
The consultation period will end on Friday 11th March, 2010
3 consultation events have been held in London, Cardiff and Belfast to enable
key people with a maritime interest to hear about the Strategy and Action plan
at first hand and to provide feedback on the proposals.
The final such event will take place in Edinburgh on
11th March
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British Tugowners Association (BTA)
The MSA was pleased to welcome the BTA into membership in April
2009. The BTA represents the interests of port towage operators
from large corporates to smaller privately owned companies in
addition to a number of Port Authorities. BTA members' tug fleets
cover ports handling 90% of Britain's sea-borne trade including
all of the leading ports. They provide a key support service that
enables larger vessels to dock and undock safely.
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MSA to work with SQA Awards
SQA Awards has agreed to become the Awarding and Accreditation
Body for the new suite of Maritime Studies Qualifications. (see
work in progress). SQA has many years experience as an awarding
body and is recognised as such throughout the UK. The SQA have been
presenting a brief overview of their role and the maritime qualifications that
they will be awarding during 2010. A copy of their presentation may be viewed
using the following link SQA Maritime Presentation.
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Maritime Studies Qualifications
The initial work undertaken as part of the Test and Trialling
of the new Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern
Ireland, is being built upon to create a complete new suite of
maritime related qualifications. These will largely replace existing
NVQs that are due to expire in March 2010. So far 14 units at
level 2 and two at level 3 have been developed which cover basic
seamanship, navigation and watchkeeping and vessel engineering.
It is intended that units relating to fishing, towage and port
operations will be added over the next 12 months to create qualifications
that meet the various needs of the whole sector.
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Maritime Apprenticeship
Following the report on Maritime Apprenticeships Frameworks produced
in 2008 ( a copy may be downloaded from the publications page),
the Ports and Fishing Industries have been working to bring their
existing apprenticeship frameworks in line with current Government
requirements. The revisions are currently awaiting approval and
It is hoped that the new frameworks will be available for use
shortly.
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