Apprenticeship Training for Philippine Nautical Graduates

Section 13 of Presidential Decree No. 474 (dated 1 June 1974) enjoins MARINA to establish and support a system for maintaining and developing a reservoir of trained manpower.
Section 13 of Presidential Decree No. 474 (dated 1 June 1974) enjoins shipping companies and shipyards to extend full cooperation to MARINA toward attaining that objective.
Shipping companies and shipyards are enjoined to actively participate in the apprenticeship training of graduates of nautical schools and marine engineering institutions.

The circular requires the active participation of shipping companies and shipyards in apprenticeship training of maritime graduates.
The circular is designed to secure participation that results in the training and qualification of graduates for licensed officer roles.

The circular applies to all shipping companies operating ships of Philippine Registry, whether temporary or permanent.
The circular applies to all shipyards in the Philippines.
The program targets graduates of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and graduates of marine engineering schools.
The circular applies to candidates who are graduates listed by the National Seamen Board as having not undergone ship-board training.

Shipping companies must submit to MARINA the number of apprentices presently under training aboard their vessels.
Shipping companies must submit to MARINA the dates the cadets’ training shall have been completed.
Shipping companies must advise MARINA on the number of additional apprentices they could accommodate.
Nautical and marine engineering schools must advise their graduates to report to the Manpower Development Office, MARINA with:
- a copy of the diploma or certificate, and
- a copy of the school transcript of records.
Priority in training is given to those with high scholastic standing.
MARINA must obtain from the National Seamen Board a list of graduates who have not undergone ship-board training.
Priority in training is given to those whose names are listed earlier on the National Seamen Board list.
MARINA sends candidates for apprenticeship training to shipping companies for aptitude and/or intelligence tests and interviews.
If candidates in the first group do not qualify, MARINA sends another group of candidates to the shipping companies.

During shipboard training, the vessel must undergo drydocking or repairs.
The ship master must endorse apprentices to the superintendent or manager of the shipyard for training in:
- “drydocking”,
- “safety of life fire fighting”, and
- “lifeboats and inflatable life rafts.”
A ship officer or the shipyard superintendent must evaluate the apprentices’ performance whenever applicable.
Based on apprentices’ performance, the ship master, through the shipping company, must recommend to MARINA whether the cadet’s training shall be continued or terminated.

Shipping companies and shipyards must provide full cooperation for implementation by making their ships and facilities available for apprenticeship training.
Shipping companies must ensure that training includes cargo handling and checking, which may be taught ashore or on board the vessels.
Shipping companies must ensure that accommodation of apprentices on ships of Philippine Registry, whether temporary or permanent, does not constitute revenue passage.
Shipping companies must ensure that apprentices are not considered passengers.
Apprentices are allowed on board where their number shall not adversely affect the shipping companies’ financial position and where shipping companies have necessary accommodation facilities.
Shipping companies must provide apprentices with free board and lodging, when appropriate.

MARINA is responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of the apprenticeship training.
Nautical and marine engineering schools are responsible for the efficient monitoring of the training program.