UMTC Holds Its First Virtual Client Forum

Upholding UMTCs commitment to keep our clients updated with our new and current training courses in these challenging times, our plans moving forward, and how the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is addressing the new normal, we held our first Virtual Client Forum last 29 March 2021 via video conferencing.

Engr. Donald B. Bautista, UMTCs Managing Director, led the forum with a discussion on UMTC’s historical timeline, faculty and career path, clients, accreditations, and partners in providing world-class and high-quality training for seafarers. He then proceeded to present the training statistics of UMTC since 2012, highlighting more than 118,000 seafarers trained in upgrading courses and more than 6000 graduates from our Cadet Training Program since 1998.

Like most organizations, UMTC was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this did not stop UMTC from coping with and addressing the "new normal". Work from home set-up, free accommodation and shuttle service for employees, strict compliance to health and safety protocols, reduction of class sizes to 50%, and implementation of webinar courses were some of the adjustments made because as Eng'r. Bautista said:

"Our goal is to make our trainees still experience world-class training and assessment without compromising safety."

This swift action and shift in pedagogy resulted in more than 8000 seafarers trained under the new normal, proving that training is still imminent in these challenging times. UMTC developed new face-to-face, webinar, company-specific, and generic courses that, as Eng'r. Bautista proudly mentioned, were created with utmost quality and underwent verification and validation before delivery to our partners. In addition, he also said that all of our webinar instructors have undergone Train the Trainer for online training to ensure the high standard of delivery.

Moving forward, UMTCs new direction is digitalization. Subscribing to a Learning Management System, Cloud-based Simulation, Customer Relationship Management, and our own Client Portal are the steps that we have taken to provide our trainees with digital and future-proof solutions.

However, UMTC does not stop there. We also believe in giving back to the environment and the community through our Green Office Program and CSR. We have implemented carpooling, energy-saving alternatives, painting our walls with lighter colors, bringing our own tumblers, and more to achieve our goal of being ISO 14001 certified. Some of the CSR initiatives Eng'r. Bautista mentioned were our Blood Donation drive in partnership with the Red Cross, tree planting, feeding program, dental mission, outreach program, and helping seafarers who were affected by the Taal eruption.

The second part of the forum, led by the MARINA Administrator, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, started with a thank you and an acknowledgement of his MARINA teammates, Deputy Administrator for Operations, Eng'r. Nanette Villamor-Dinopol, Deputy Administrator for Planning, Capt. Jeffrey Solon, and Executive Director of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Office (STCWO), VADM. Rene Medina.

VADM. Empedrad officially started his session with the theme of the forum -- collaboration. He then stated that the new normal does not matter, as long as we work together and adapt to achieve our purpose.

Moreover, the nine parts of VADM. Empedrad's presentation discussed the issued guidelines by the STCWO on blended learning, on the Implementation of Remote Inspection, on the continuous conduct of examination, and the implementation of the MARINA Integrated Seafarers Management Online (MISMO) System, the extension of the validity of STCW certificates, the entry and status of foreign workers, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) inspection audit report, the MARINA's corrective actions, and the seafarers' vaccination priority.

VADM. Empedrad explained that the MARINA is proactively mitigating and responding to the findings of EMSA and will subject their initial response to scrutiny together with their stakeholders. Moving forward, the MARINA has ensured that seafarers are now prioritized under A4 category for the COVID-19 vaccine and that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the MARINA are now developing the guidelines for seafarer vaccination once the procured vaccines have arrived.

Finally, the floor was opened for the Q&A with the MARINA officials and further discussions on the A4 vaccine prioritization of seafarers, the effect of the EMSA audit report on deployment of Filipino seafarers, the implementation of e-signatures for certificates, the accommodation and quarantine process for foreign crews with 9(E) visas, and lastly, the limitations for management-level Marine Engineers and their Certificates of Competency (COC) transpired during this segment of the forum.

Eng'r. Bautista concluded the first part of the Virtual Client forum by expressing gratitude and appreciation for UMTC's partners, clients, top management, and attendees for their presence and continued support.

For topic suggestions and further information, kindly contact us at marketing@umtc.com.ph or like and follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UMTCManila/ to stay updated.

"It is not the strongest or the most intelligent person who will survive,
but those who can best manage change."
- Charles Darwin

We hope to see you again on the second part of our Virtual Client forum!