EDUCATE
EDUCATE
INNOVATE |ADVOCATE | COLLABORATE | EDUCATE
The act or process of imparting, sharing or acquiring knowledge, developing powers of reasoning and judgement and generally preparing oneself or others intellectually through learning, to achieve their potential.
I have an issue with barriers, in whatever environment I am working my natural inclination is to challenge them. I have a tendency when confronted with one, to find a way around it, regardless of whether it physical or metaphorical. I believe when it comes to education, there should be no barriers to you and your learning, no barriers in terms of time, finance or your confidence in your own ability.
“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”
Roy.T.Bennett. The Light in the Heart.
Not everyone finds school, or the education system to be an inspiring experience, so many people when faced with having to make decisions about their future careers age 15, have no real idea what they want to do. Typically they feel most motivated by being outdoors or on the water, on a skateboard or turning their hand to a practical task, and because of this they are written off as “not academic” and not university material. For them, the prospect of university and a working life sat behind a desk, is the antithesis of what they want from their futures. They want to get started now and get working,
In my experience, so many incredibly capable heads of department, officers and captains in the industry, have not necessarily arrived equipped with degrees and extensive academic backgrounds. So many individuals in the industry do not see themselves as academic and yet they hold hugely responsible and complex roles onboard.
“Personally I have a lot to thank Emma for, she took a risk on me as a dyslexic teenager that had fallen out of love with education”
Chris Roberts Yachtmaster Ocean. Trainee Ship Broker
Once in the industry, the focus is quite rightly on safety, and gaining MCA CoC’s, alongside time gaining skills and experience. It is an expensive and time consuming process, which for most is not supported financially or in terms of paid study leave by their vessels. It is also, for the most part outdated and lagging badly behind the actual operational needs and realities of the yachts. The MCA training route has been a valuable and robust structure, it is no easy task producing a training route whose learning outcomes need to equip crew with the knowledge base to command vessels as varied as a 30m performance sailing yacht and 90m state of the art motor yacht. However that is the nature of the industry.
After working hard for your CoC’s once completed after a period of relief and euphoria (and relief at your bank balance not taking any more hits) your mind starts to turn to other things, what next? Learning should never stop, you should always be seeking to acquire new skills and education. Therefore that next phase is your continued personal and professional development, which is by far the most interesting journey you can take yourself on.
Through the activities of The OM and working in collaboration with partners, I will be working to explore and develop the options for professional crew to continue their learning journey.
