Foundation degree will provide for additional 'on-the-job' learning at sea.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: From Capt Nigel Palmer

Letters To The Editor

I REFER to the letter from C R Kelso (Lloyd's List February 16) and would like to comment further in response to some of the points he raises regarding the introduction of Merchant Navy Foundation Degrees.

First, in case there is any confusion, I should make it clear that the MNTB is not directly responsible for the supply of officers to the industry. It is the companies and training organisations that recruit and employ new entrants.

What the MNTB is responsible for is ensuring that the structure and framework of training within the UK meets the needs of employers, employees and the wider maritime industry. The introduction of the foundation degree entry route was driven by the recognition in the industry that change was needed if we were to be able to attract the quality of entrants demanded by employers.

Capt Kelso's major concern appears to be that the foundation degree training programmes will produce junior officers that do not have enough 'on-the-job training and experience'. The foundation degree is a vocational programme that will involve at least as much time at sea as current programmes and will provide for additional 'on-the-job' learning at sea and greater critical evaluation of sea experience. In no way, and in no elements of the programme, does the foundation degree provide a lower level of training and experience than the current HND programme.