The Norwegian Training Center (NTC) held its first ever Maritime Week, happened on October 10-15, 2022, in relation to its 32nd Anniversary and the arrival of Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Manila. With this, programs are organized for the benefit of employees, partners, clients as well as the NSA cadets.
The opening of the event took place on the first day, 10th of October wherein the Managing Director himself, Capt. Jo Even Tomren delivered his speech – highlighting the 32 years of the company’s continuous excellence in the maritime training industry. A video was also presented containing photos and events that happened within the organization throughout the years.
Managing Director, Captain Jo Even Tomren delivering his speech for the Opening Day of Maritime Week.
On the morning of the second day, 11th of October, a symposium focusing on “Women Empowerment and Personal Effectiveness in the Workplace” was held at the NTC office, participated by representatives of clients and partners and NSA Cadets.
The panel of speakers: Dr. Melanie M. Reyes – Executive Director of Miriam College-Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) who talked about the Women Empowerment; Mr. Güngör Ates – Marine HR Site Manager, Cherry Blanca Gonzales-Du – Marine Relations Manager, Rachel Gay Francisco – Marine People Manager, and Edcel Francia – Recruitment and Cadet Manager of Maersk-Filipinas Crewing Inc. shared their company’s views and best practices on women empowerment; and Ms. Arla Fontamillas – Independent Writing and Training Consultant who focused her speakership on personal effectiveness of women in workplace.
From left to right: Dr. Melanie M. Reyes, Mr. Güngör Ates, Ms. Rachel Gay Francisco, Ms. Edcel Francia, and Ms. Arla Fontamillas during their speakership
Same day in the afternoon, NTC E-Learning Interface (NELI) User Experience was showcased and participated by seafarers sent by their companies to try out e-learning courses of their choice. Participants used different devices such as desktops, laptops, tablet, and cellphone in accessing the e-learning platform having no trouble. Each of them was issued a certificate upon completion of their courses.
Mrs. Katrina Onoya-Perez, Learning Management System Associate of NTC, facilitating the NELI User Experience Showcase.
On the third day, 12th of October, NTC hosted a seminar on SIRE 2.0 updates, patterned to the transition to a new inspection scheme that was expected to be operational by the last quarter of 2022. Capt. Sean Noonan – SIRE, TMSA, ISM, and ISO Auditing Inspector was one of the guest speakers. He discussed the practical tips for shipping companies as they transition to SIRE 2.0 compliance. While the other speaker, Mr. Johan Gahnstrom, Principal Consultant at CompetenSEA Limited, shared his knowledge of Behavioral Competency Assessment focusing on its relevance as a requirement of SIRE 2.0 regime. The event was joined by the key persons and the decision-makers of the client and partner companies of NTC.
From left to right: Capt. Sean Noonan presenting about SIRE 2.0 updates; Mr. Johan Gahnstrom, speaking about behavioral competency assessment as a main requirement for SIRE 2.0 compliance.
Occurred simultaneously, the 102-year-old Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrived in the port of Manila to commemorate the strong maritime partnership of Norway and the Philippines. The welcoming of the tall ship was led by the Ambassador-Designate, Christian Lyster and Chargé d’affaires and Geir Michalsen, a.i. of The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila; DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista; MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani N. Fabia; NTC Management Team led by the Managing Director, Capt. Jo Even Tomren; and NSA Cadets.
NTC Management Team led by Capt. Jo and Capt Knutz, welcoming the arrival of Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
On Thursday, 13th of October, NTC participated at the Norway-Philippines Maritime & Energy Conference – Creating Currents Together at Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. The new VINA (VR Instruction by NTC Automation) and Morild VR were on display and available for demo at NTC booth. Moreover, Capt. Jo was part of the panel session – The Human Success Factor – are we moving from seafarer to e-farer?
Participants of the conference trying out VINA (Virtual Instruction by NTC Automation) and Morild VR at NTC Booth.
NTC’s Sales and Marketing Team with Deputy Director, Capt. Knut Bentzrod photo op at NTC booth NTC’s Managing Director, Capt. Jo Even Tomren, discussing the roadmap for tomorrow’s e-farer.
On the fifth day of NTC’s Maritime Week, an Open House for NSA Cadets was organized for our future Masters and Chief Engineers. A total number of 66 cadets from University of Cebu - Lapu Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DSCP), and Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) - Batangas have participated and had a chance to operate and maneuver, with the help of outstanding instructors, NTC’s world-class simulators and VR, There were also games prepared so they can introduce and mingle with each other, and souvenirs were given to them.
NSA Cadets photo op with Managing Director, Capt. Jo Even Tomren and Deputy Director, Capt. Knut Bentzrod.
NTC’s skillful instructors guiding the NSA Cadets in maneuvering and using the simulators and VR’s.
On the last day, 15 October 2022, Capt. Jo initiated the Family Day dedicated to NTC employees and their families to close the Maritime Week with exciting range of activities. Families enjoyed exclusive access to NTC facilities and experienced the simulators, and VRs. Lots of food, songs, and photographs were shared. With this initiative, Capt. Jo’s aim is to thank everyone for their efforts on the preparation and execution of the Maritime Week, hence extend the gratitude to the families of the employees.
