Overseas employer expands scholarship program

CEBU, Philippines – More future seamen avail of scholarship and guaranteed work by the International Maritime Employers’ Committee (IMEC) in partnership with the University of Cebu.

IMEC expanded its already established cadet program in UC by sponsoring full scholarship to 50 more cadets this year. The cadets are provided with free tuition, board and lodging and will be provided with the necessary sea experience to complete their programs aboard the IMEC member vessels.

 These cadets have all been selected to IMEC standards having undertaken various entry tests and are to be trained in classrooms solely for IMEC cadet use.

“The doubling of numbers of IMEC cadets at the University of Cebu sends a clear message to the industry that despite the pressures of the current world financial crisis, IMEC sees the future provision of quality sea staff as essential to our success when crisis does recede,” said Robert Goodall, vice chairman of IMEC and chairman of the IMEC Recruitment and Training Committee.

IMEC, one of the world’s largest employers of Filipino seafarers, has approximately 52,000 Filipino ratings and 14,000 Filipino officers aboard its member ships.

Giles Heimann, secretary general designate of IMEC, said that Filipino seafarers are recognized to have high quality and high level of commitment to their work. — Barbara Anne B. Ocaba, STC Masscomm Intern/WAB (THE FREEMAN)