NMP workshop empowers personnel for effective distance learning

THE National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), in partnership with PCI-Seaversity, successfully concluded its Distance Learning Training Program from Oct. 9-11, 2024, at the NMP School Building in Tacloban City.

The activity was part of NMP’s continuous efforts to modernize maritime training by integrating flexible and accessible learning solutions that cater to the evolving demands of the maritime industry.

The workshop equipped NMP instructors and other concerned personnel with essential knowledge and skills to manage distance learning programs effectively, in compliance with Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Circular 2021-10.

Participants engage in interactive sessions facilitated by experts from PCI-Seaversity, covering key aspects of the LMS and best practices for managing distance education. PHOTO FROM NMP

The training was designed to familiarize participants with the Learning Management System (LMS) for course delivery, tracking and evaluation — crucial for implementing distance learning programs in the maritime sector.

This program aligns with recommendations from NMP’s recent study, “Investments in Distance Learning for Philippine Maritime Training Institutions,” which emphasized the need for upskilling to support the shift toward more accessible and flexible learning.

The study identified distance learning as a vital tool for the future of maritime education, addressing the limitations of traditional, location-based training.

The participants engaged in interactive sessions facilitated by experts from PCI-Seaversity, covering key aspects of the LMS and best practices for managing distance education. This initiative aligns with NMP’s broader modernization efforts, which include the conversion of five face-to-face courses into distance learning formats: Medical First Aid (MEFA), Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (SCRB), Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), Ratings Forming Part of a Watch in an Unmanned Engine Room (RFPEW), and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF).

With the completion of this training, NMP is poised to further support the maritime industry by offering courses accessible to seafarers across the globe. This effort addresses the geographical challenges of traditional training and provides seafarers with the flexibility to balance their professional commitments while upgrading their skills.

Meanwhile, those interested in NMP training programs can register through the Online Registration System at https://register.nmp.gov.ph or visit the Agency’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) or the official website (https://nmp.gov.ph) for updates and program details.

For information on NMP’s research initiatives, the e-Research Portal (www.research.nmp.gov.ph) provides access to completed studies, research agendas and opportunities for industry collaboration.

NMP also encourages Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-registered seafarers to take advantage of the NMP-OWWA Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) and the Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), which offer financial assistance for training costs.