After the center of my professional activity and interests shifted to Germany, I had to find out the correct German terms matching the services I offer to the maritime industry.
Q: What would be the established terms covering the basic training, advanced training, value added training (a.k.a Value Added Courses or VAC), continuous professional development (CPD) training, etc. for the seafarers?
A: All of these have specific mappings to the German education system:Ausbildung: This refers to initial vocational training or education. It is the foundational training that individuals undergo to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications for a particular profession or job. In the maritime context, it would typically involve the basic training required for becoming a seafarer, such as basic safety training, firefighting, first aid, etc.
Fortbildung: Fortbildung translates to "further training" or "advanced training." It involves additional training or courses that professionals take to enhance their skills and knowledge beyond their initial qualification. In the maritime context, Fortbildung might include specialized courses, competency training, and skill development for specific roles onboard.
Weiterbildung: Weiterbildung means "continuing education" or "further education." It is a broader term encompassing various types of education and training that individuals pursue to expand their knowledge and expertise in a specific area or profession. In the maritime sector, Weiterbildung could include courses that lead to higher qualifications or specialization in certain aspects of seafaring.
Umschulung: Umschulung refers to "retraining" or a career change. It is the process of acquiring new skills and qualifications to transition to a different profession or field. This may not directly related to post-STCW training but could be relevant if a seafarer decides to switch to a different occupation at sea, e.g. en electric engineer deciding to get the engineer officer license.
Schulung: Schulung means "training" or "instruction" in a general sense. It is a broad term that can encompass various types of training activities, including those related to the maritime industry.
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Regarding the specific forms of training for the licensed deck and engineering officers, as well as cadets, currently offered by me to clients I can also suggest the coresponding reverse mapping:
A. Post-STCW Training and VAC for licensed deck and engineering officers would fall under Weiterbildung or Fortbildung, as it involves specialized training to improve their professional skills and knowledge, possibly for higher-ranking positions or specific roles on the ship.
B. For cadets one year before their board exams, this would typically be part of their initial Ausbildung or basic training, which includes the necessary preparation for their exams to become licensed officers.
C. CPD, which refers to ongoing learning and skill enhancement throughout a seafarer's career, can be categorized under Weiterbildung. It involves regularly taking courses, attending workshops, and staying updated with industry best practices to maintain and enhance their competence.
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If you are seeking maritime training services, Oleksii Chepok - Ausbildung & Beratung is your reliable choice for any of the mentioned ABC types of training
Working globally online and locally in the greater Hamburg area, I can offer you a range of B2B and individual services related to maritime training: either the value added courses, training faciltation, or auditing of the training processes.
