XN000022-1984-02-19 — Page 5

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1934

FIRST GROUP OF SEAMEN ENROLLED AT TRAINING CENTRE

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HONG KONG'S SEAMEN CAN NOW BE TRAINED LOCALLY TO MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WATCH RATINGS.

THE SEAMEN'S TRAINING TEMPORARY CENTRE ESTABLISHED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IN LITTLE SAI WAN HAS JUST TAKEN IN THE FIRST GROUP OF 48 SEAMEN FOR A 30-DAY RESIDENTIAL COURSE.

+THEY WILL BE GIVEN SPECIALISED TRAINING TO QUALIFY THEM AS NAVIGATIONAL AND ENGINE ROOM WATCH RATINGS, SAID MR MORRIS MORGAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL.

+ TOPICS SUCH AS FIRE-FIGHTING, FIRST-AID, PERSONAL SAFETY AND PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE COURSE,+ HE ADDED.

THE CENTRE, WHICH HAS BEEN SET UP FOLLOWING A GOVERNMENT REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL TO TRAIN AN ESTIMATED 5 000 LOCAL SEAMEN IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS, HAS A CAPACITY FOR 240 SEAMEN AT ANY ONE TIME.

ADVICE ON TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND THE FACILITIES NEEDED WAS GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL BY ITS MERCHANT NAVY TRAINING BOARD.

CHAIRED BY MR FRANK CHAO, THE BOARD COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

IT IS INTENDED THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE TRAINEES WILL BE ISSUED WITH A CERTIFICATE BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARD OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS (1978).

THIS CERTIFICATE WILL, IN FUTURE, BE MANDATORY FOR THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AS WATCH RATINGS.

AGENCIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBVENTION

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NON-PROFIT-MAKING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH WISH TO RUN ADULT EDUCATION COURSES OR ACTIVITIES DURING THE 1984-85 SCHOOL YEAR ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION.

DETAILS OF THE COURSE CATEGORIES ELIGIBLE FOR SUBVENTION ARE LISTED IN AN INFORMATION SHEET ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION FORMS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION, ASIAN HOUSE, 12/F, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.

/THE SUBVEITIN