LONDON, Aug. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
A new rolling review of the UK maritime syllabus has been launched, led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in partnership with industry, to ensurehigh-qualitytrainingthat isfit for the future.
Backinghas been securedforfive-yearlyrevisionsof theUKsyllabusthattraining centres must teachstudentsto learnup-to-dateskills forsafe and successful employmentat sea.
Future changestothesyllabus, which has beentaughtinanewlyrevised versionsince September 2025,will bereflectedin the recently launchedelectronic Training Record Books(eTRBs)anddigitalassessments.
Updates to the training syllabus will include new technology, enhanced safety standards and improved practice.
Thedevelopment springs fromtheMCA-ledCadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) Programmewhichbringstogether key stakeholders focused on improving seafarer training.The five-yearreviewwas backed bythe CT&M Programme's Oversight Committeewhichsetsthe strategic direction of the programme and reports to the Maritime Minister.
The CT&M Programme's syllabus sub-group,whichmeetseverythree months to review modules, has beenalsoexpanded to include more shipping companies, trainingprovidersand industry representation bodies.
The nextsyllabusupdate is scheduled to be taughtfrom2030 following the new edition beingdeliveredto training centres in 2029.
The CT&M Programmewaslaunched in2021to keep learningin linewith modern technology and practices.
MCA Chief Examiner Ajit Jacob said:
Seafarers are the lifeblood ofthe UK'smaritimeeconomy,so it iscriticalwe ensure they are equipped with the skills to work safely and successfully.
Reviewing the syllabus every five years means we can move with thetimes-keepingup with the accelerating changes invesseltechnology and quickly learningvitalsafety lessons to keep our crews from harmand protect the environment.
Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Director Kevin Gregory said:
At the heart of every safe and successful voyage are seafarers trained to the highest standards-but as vessel technologies, alternative fuels and safety, environmental and regulatory requirements evolve, the skills needed at sea are changing quickly.
This collaborative review process will bean important stepin ensuring UK seafarer training keeps pace with the realities of modern shipping.
By working together across industry, training providers, unions and the regulator, we can keep the syllabus relevant, practical and ambitious-supporting seafarers into successful careers and maintaining the UK's reputation for world-class maritime training.
Background
The CT&M Programme is based on recommendations made by the Seafarer and Cadet Training Review, launched by the Maritime Skills Commission on the instruction of the Maritime Minister in 2021.
It brought together key stakeholders, including theMNTB, nautical colleges, unions and more, focused on improving seafarer training. It is believed to be the first time a maritime regulator has joined forces with industry experts to shape such training in this way.
The MCA does not deliver training butis responsible foroverseeing that standards aremaintainedby providers through seafarer assessments and regular audits of the training providers.
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