Students’ Onboard Experiences: Basis for Improved Shipboard Training Program Policy

The Philippines is a major provider of seafarers, with the majority of Filipino sailors serving on merchant ships all around the world. To stay competitive in the global market, most shipping companies recruit maritime students through a variety of processes and provide them with the necessary knowledge, expertise, and skills. The experience of maritime cadets/cadettes in the workplace aids them in realizing and grasping the employment needs onboard merchant vessels. This quantitative research study assessed the onboard experiences of PMMA cadets in order to improve the academy's shipboard training program and policy. A researcher-made survey questionnaire via Google form was used to gather data from the 162 First Class cadets/cadettes who were graduating midshipmen of S.Y. 2020-2021. The study found out that the cadet-trainees were exposed to technical tasks during their shipboard training. In terms of challenges onboard, they never at all experienced sexual and verbal harassment and abuse. Accordingly, they have very low experience related to civic disengagement. Inculcating high tolerance in shipboard training related to work stress and condition is one of the strengths of the PMMA Shipboard Training Program and the assignment and availability of training officers on board was noted as one of its weaknesses.