The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) National Fisheries College of Ireland in Castletownbere, Co. Cork is piloting the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency as an online course.
The Skipper Full Programme will be conducted as a nine-week online course, followed by three weeks in situ in Castletownbere once the college can re-open following COVID-19 restrictions.
“Currently we have four students enrolled on the pilot programme and I’m heartened to see how quickly they have adapted to online learning,” said Capt. Shane Begley, College Principal, National Fisheries College of Ireland. “It’s fantastic to be able to facilitate their ongoing training and we look forward to providing similar support with some of our other courses,” he added.
The course teaches a range of core navigation and safety skills and is designed for fishermen with a Second-Hand Full Certificate of Competency and 12 months sea time in that capacity who wish to gain further qualifications in skippering a vessel.
BIM took the decision to pilot the training online as it will allow students the opportunity to complete their studies this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
BIM Skills Development unit is one of BIM’s five organisational units and is focused on enhancing the viability of careers in the seafood sector.
