We share our clients' concerns about the future supply of qualified officers. In a joint initiative with our clients we are facing up to the challenge. The clients' voluntary contributions to the Marlow Navigation training fund create the financial basis of the training activities which feed our career development system. The objective is to satisfy the demand for qualified officers from within the company's competence management system.

The training activities funded by our company's clients include:

• Cadet training programmes on board the clients' vessels
• Training programmes on board the company's training vessel 'Emsstrom'
• Upgrading training in the company's training centres in Manila and Odessa
• Upgrading training in the company's manning agencies
• Upgrading training through external training providers

Cadet training programmes on board the clients' vessels

Marlow Navigation and its clients sponsor cadets on board the vessels. The cadets are recruited and selected from maritime colleges and universities. Pre-joining training and close supervision of progress on board support the company's controlled accelerated promotion programme. The company and its clients are active in the creation of additional positions for junior officers and operational level officers to accommodate career advancement.

Training programmes on board the company's training vessel 'Emsstrom'

Since 1998 we have, with the support of our clients, been operating the training vessel 'Emsstrom' in Leer, Germany, where deck and engine trainees are groomed for their future career in a 3-year programme of theoretical and practical training. Cook trainees take care of catering on board the training vessel. The vessel offers STCW training and post-STCW courses as part of the cadet curriculum and as upgrading training for North European seafarers.

Upgrading training in the company's training centres in Manila and Odessa

In our main recruiting locations, Manila and Odessa, we have established our own training centres that work in close cooperation with the company's recruiting office. The centres are fitted out with lecture rooms, computer labs and training kitchens. We focus on selection training, trade tests, pre-joining training and general upgrading training in order to satisfy general and individual training needs.

Upgrading training in the company's manning agencies

Our manning agents address the general training needs and any individual training needs of the seafarers. The agents are equipped with computer labs and training material for computer-based training (CBT) to keep the seafarers updated about and familiar with the latest training requirements.

Upgrading training through external training providers

Our manning agents maintain close contact with external local training providers and colleges. In order to satisfy any identified training needs of seafarers that cannot be met in-house, courses are arranged and coordinated with local training providers. This includes nautical and technical subjects as well as practical subjects like welding and crane driving.