PMMA CADETS STILL IN DEMAND AMID PANDEMIC
THE demand for cadets produced by the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) remains high despite the crew change crisis and other challenges faced by the shipping industry amidst the pandemic.
According to PMMA superintendent Commodore Joel Abutal, representatives of shipping companies are requesting additional cadets from the academy.
“They have plans to increase their intake next year and are requesting for us to send more cadets for shipboard training,” Abutal said.
He lamented, however, that 100 percent of their enrolled cadets both for engine and deck are already deployed to different shipping companies. Those who are still in their first and second year of academic phase are also already committed through PMMA’s standing Memorandum of Agreement (Moa) with companies who require a specific number of cadets per year for their vessels.
“A big chunk of our cadets are mostly employed by Fleet Ship Management and Latsco Ship Management on an annual basis,” Abutal added.
According to the data from the Department of Shipboard Training of PMMA, the Class of 2022 were already committed to respective shipping companies for their sea service with 100 percent of enrolled third-year cadets already deployed to manning agencies, mostly owned by PMMA Alumni as well.
On the other hand, Abutal guaranteed that PMMA will ensure the steady supply of trainee officers through innovative modes of learning.
“The Academy has taken innovations and steps to make sure the continuous supply of trainee officers will not be disrupted. To date, Pmma has spearheaded both online and offline Learning Management System (LMS) to which cadets can continue to build their knowledge, understanding, and proficiency even with the limited faceto-face learning to prevent any possibilities of COVID infection.”
Cadets are strategically having in-house training within the “PMMA Bubble” and continue their academic year with the aid of technology and modified arrangements with very minimal disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Superintendent thanked the Congress and Senate for approving the construction of an additional Cadet Barracks to the amount of 25 Million and a new simulator to the amount of 15 Million to increase the number of cadet intake by next year.
“The new barracks and the high voltage simulator would mean a lot to us. Seeing that there is no immediate end yet for the pandemic, having new barracks and facilities can help us train more cadets which can serve as a buffer to the disruptions on the manpower supply caused by COVID,” Abutal concluded.