Eighteen stevedores employed to the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) have been the first to receive the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institute (NCTVET) level one certification in stevedoring operations. The certification is recognised both locally and internationally.

Stevedoring is the process involved in the loading and unloading of ships. The Stevedoring Pilot Certification programme is geared towards the development of the stevedores' vocational skills.

The programme was conducted over a three-month period and comprised 10 course modules. Courses included research methods, occupational health and safety procedures, industrial security, securing and unlashing of cargo and effective communication. The modules were delivered by persons employed in the shipping industry, the Caribbean Maritime Institute as well as external experts.

Speaking at the certification ceremony last Wednesday, Trevor Riley, general manager, SAJ said the association was most proud of the successful participants.

Caught the vision

"The stevedoring staff has been exposed to various training over the last six years and this is a culmination of the efforts of the SAJ to create, within our industry, an organisation focussed on the training of its people. An organisation that is fighting fit," Riley said.

Human resource and development manager, Diana Reynolds, pointed out that the programme was developed over a three-year period with the Heart Trust/National Training Agency through NCTVET.

"I must commend the managing committee of the SAJ which caught the vision and gave approval for a pilot programme to be undertaken between February and April this year. In a year when many companies cut their training budgets, the SAJ recognised the need to prepare for the future and sought to invest in its workers," Reynolds said.

In response, Riley said the managing committee was cognisant of the fact that it was more costly not to train staff. He also gave credit to the union officers who played a significant role as well as the stevedores themselves who assisted with the training over the years.

Certified workforce

Gavonnie Phipps, speaking on behalf of the participants, thanked the partnering organisations who guided the certification process. He noted that the process of certification marked a new era in stevedoring. "This marks an era in which stevedores will be recognised not merely for their brawn but rather for their brain," Phipps said. "We know to whom much is given much is expected and we will deliver on that as we take our part in a skilled, disciplined, professional and certified workforce."

The stevedoring certification programme was developed in Jamaica by the SAJ in partnership with the Heart Trust/NTA through the NCTVET. A technical team has developed four levels of competency standards which cover the majority of skills now utilised on the Port of Kingston. Levels one and two can be viewed on the National Qualification Register's website. Significantly, this Jamaica-developed certification programme is now being used by some of our Caribbean neighbours. The certification programme will assist the SAJ to move towards achieving the status of an accredited training organisation.