A Journey Toward Leadership in Training & Development

What inspired Capt. Bong to pursue a career in training and development and eventually lead as a Training Director becomes a story of unexpected discovery.

“I didn’t plan to enter training and development, but I’ve always aimed to succeed beyond my life at sea. Wanting to be present for my family led me ashore, where I discovered a passion for developing people. The leadership and mentoring skills I gained as a Master Mariner naturally guided me toward this path. Today, as a Training Director, I find purpose in shaping others to grow, perform, and lead.

”The path toward leadership is rarely linear—it is shaped by purpose, experience, and a deep commitment to people.

Keeping Training Relevant in a Fast-Changing Maritime World

Capt. Bong emphasized that relevance is not a one-time effort but a continuous commitment.

“At NTC, our mantra is ‘We stand for excellence’ and that drives everything we do. In an industry that evolves rapidly, staying relevant means never becoming complacent. We continuously anticipate changes in technology, regulations, and seafarer competencies, and adapt our training programs accordingly. It’s a challenge, but one we embrace proudly, because being ‘ahead of the game’ is not just our goal; it’s our standard. That’s what being NTC means.”

Leadership Lessons Forged Through Experience

According to Capt. Bong, true leadership is proven not by position, but by presence.

“One key leadership lesson I’ve learned as a Training Director is the importance of presence. I’m inspired by the words of this famous lady that I love, ‘The number one ingredient aside from character is you show up in the most difficult times. If you don’t show up in the most difficult times, you are not a leader.’True leadership means standing with your team, not only when things are going well but especially when challenges arise. That’s the kind of leadership I strive to live by, being there for my team, guiding, supporting, and growing with them through both good and difficult times.”

Guidance for Future Leaders in Training

We asked Capt. Bong what advice would he give to aspiring training leaders and his answer transforms into a heartfelt message to the next generation as he highlighted that genuine leadership begins with humility.

“My advice to aspiring training leaders is to stay grounded and never forget your humble beginnings. Remember what it felt like to start—the challenges, the learning, and the mentors who helped you along the way. Those experiences keep you connected and authentic. As you grow, let humility and empathy guide how you lead and develop others. I have little compassion for entitlement or arrogance; leadership is not about feeling superior, but about serving with integrity, respect, and a genuine desire to uplift others. That’s how you make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

The Future of Maritime and Technical Training

Capt. Bong shared that progress in the industry must be matched by progress in training.

“As long as ships are sailing, training will always be needed. But to stay relevant, we must evolve, embracing digitalization, automation, and sustainability. At NTC, we stand for excellence by continuously adapting and preparing seafarers for the future.”

After nine years with the Norwegian Training Center – Manila, Captain Jo Even Tomren has decided to retire from the position as Chief Executive Officer effective from 1 December 2025. During his tenure, NTC-M continued to grow and strengthen its position as one of Asia’s leading maritime simulator training centers. The Board thanks Jo Even for his efforts and commitment to NTC-M.

As an interim solution, Chief Operating Officer, Capt. Knut Bentzrod, will oversee operations together with the Board until 31 December 2025. From 1 January 2026, Capt. Svend Foyn-Bruun will serve as interim CEO for a period of 6–8 months. Svend has extensive maritime experience and has acted as Owners’ Representative for Odfjell Ship Management in Manila for the past four years.

We appreciate and thank Jo Even for his contributions to NTC-M and welcome Svend to his new role in Manila.