2GO opens cruise ships for immersive training course

2GO opens cruise ships for immersive training course
GENIVI FACTAO September 18, 2019 https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/18/business/maritime-business/2go-op...

2GO, the country’s leading shipping company, would introduce students to experiential learning to prepare them for actual life onboard a cruise ship.

Paul Capundan, 2GO senior business development manager, said 2GO would offer students a new training course called, Integrated Technical Operations Program (ITOP) this October, an immersion program designed for maritime deck, and engine cadets.

The students would be given ample time to experience actual deck and engine department operations aboard 2GO vessels.

“ITOP is a two -month program that could help the maritime industry, by providing the service requirement of cadets,” Capundan said during the press briefing onboard MV St. Francis Xavier, docked at North Harbor on Friday.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

He said they saw job opportunity for Filipinos and for the country to partake in the booming cruise ship industry.

“The industry has expected that 30 million passengers would cruise this year, an increase from 28.2 million passengers reported in 2018. There was a 20.5 percent increase in demand for cruising in the last five years,” he said, citing the report from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association in 2018.

The United States was the highest in terms of cruise passengers, with 11.5 million, while China took the second spot with 2.1 million, based on the 2016 Total Ocean Cruise Passenger report.

“There were 1.6 million seafarers in the world, 20 percent of them were Filipinos. The Philippines is the second largest seafarer supplier and we are the top seafarer ratings supplier. By 2025, there would be a 150,600 officer shortage and we expect it to rise,” he added.

He said the US cruising market is still growing and the rest of the world is catching up. More officers are needed by 2025, and so the need for training on- board a ship for our future seafarers.

“Our objective is to complement the theories and principles learned in school through active involvement and daily task application. They can acquire life skills necessary for a job assignment in the maritime industry,” he said.

The cadetship program would be part of the school curriculum. ITOP would cost a student around P35,000 and that includes adequate living condition onboard the ship.

The students would get to know the importance of shipboard safety and can experience introductory life and work onboard a vessel to understand various aspects of a ship and its organization.

“Our methodologies were concise lectures, practical session, workshop and immersion, visual and actual presentation, group discussion and dynamics,” he said.

Capundan said 2GO has started offering training programs since 2003, under the brand name Superferry. The programs include in- port vessel familiarization tour, senior high school immersion, apprenticeship, and hospitality.

The In-port vessel familiarization tour is a 3 to 4 hour introductory activity conducted aboard 2GO vessels while on -dock at the port area. Students are oriented on the different hotel and technical areas of the ship.

The senior high school immersion program for K11 to 12 has specialization in home economics such as food and beverage services, front office service, housekeeping and, travel service; and the maritime specialization, which includes navigational watch, engine watch and safety 1-2

The Basic apprenticeship experience and maritime exposure is being offered for college students while, the Integrated Hospitality On-board Program (IHOP), is a two-month specialized training where participants get a more in -depth knowledge in 2GO Hotel operations.

For IHOP, they have designated five vessels based in Manila and three ships in Batangas for short-distance travel. 2GO can accommodate 20 students per vessel.

The courses are offered from June to December, which were considered lean months for the passage business.

Currently, 2GO operates 20 ships; 11 of which are fast craft, 8 Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) and one freighter. 2GO has 23 ports of call nationwide.