Outgoing Chief Principal Muthoka exudes pride as KCNP achieves STCW certification
Sponsored by Kenya Coast National Polytechnic
Ms Mary M. Muthoka, the outgoing Chief Principal of Kenya Coast National Polytechnic.
By Anthony Kitimo
The Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) has been awarded a license to offer Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) programme. This makes it the first public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution in Kenya to offer the programme.
The license gives KCNP a competitive edge in the maritime industry, as it will complement other courses the Polytechnic offers in engineering, hospitality, fashion design, ICT and sciences, as well as in business and entrepreneurship.
The STCW certification has been awarded barely a few months to the opening of the Ksh1.08 billion ultra-modern Regional Flagship Marine Transport and Port Logistics Campus at Waa in Kwale County; a campus of KCNP. It is a boost to the Polytechnic, which is set to be a Regional Centre of Excellence for East Africa.
KCNP outgoing Principal Ms Mary Muthoka, under whose watch the Polytechnic has achieved the STCW certification, says the programme has internationally recognised rules that direct the knowledge and skills seafarers need to perform their jobs safely.
“Any seafarer working aboard ships that operate in international waters must have STCW certification. This certificate allows seafarers to do a variety of jobs aboard merchant vessels,” she says.
A befitting send-off gift
“KCNP getting the approval yo offer the STCW course is a great achievement which comes at a time when I am exiting as the Principal of the Polytechnic. This approval is a great send-off gift for me, for we have strived for it for many years.
The STCW programme covers a range of topics. They include Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, Fire Prevention and Firefighting, Elementary First Aid and Security Awareness for all Seafarers.Trainees at KCNP will have an opportunity to meet the country’s maritime interest and place it in the category of a maritime powerhouse, the Chief Principal says.
KCNP also has tailor-made courses under the Maritime Studies Department, which offer key courses like Marine Engineering and Seafarers, which are vital on board vessels as Khadija Jepngetich, a junior engine woman at Royal Caribbean cruise ship testified.
“The course I did at KCNP under the Maritime Studies department placed me in a male dominated profession, thanks to international laws which are protecting women. I completed the course and the hands-on opportunity at the Polytechnic helped me to qualify, and in all job interviews I did, I emerged the best. I chose Royal Caribbean as it will give me an opportunity to explore more,” says Jepngetich.
KCNP alumnus Ms Khadijah Jepngetich Kebenei, who studied Marine Engineering, excels as a Junior Engine Woman with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Some programmes to benefit from STCW training
Currently, the Polytechnic is offering a craft course in Marine Engineering, Shipping Management, Maritime Transport and Logistics, Port Logistics, Cruise Animation, Marine Welding and Fabrication. Plans are underway to expand the programmes with courses like Diploma in Marine Engineering and Diploma in Nautical Sciences next year.
In Hospitality, the Polytechnic has courses like Mixology, Catering and Accommodation, Food and Beverage (Culinary Arts) Level 4, Production and Food and Beverage Sales and Service Level 4, Food Production Level 3, Pastry Cook Level 4, and Bartender Level 4.
Other programmes at approval stage include Cargo Equipment Operator Level 5, Marine Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician Level 5 and Ship Cook (a short course).
To empower learners and trainers; KCNP has been partnering with Harbour View Maritime Institute to offer the STCW programmes as the Polytechnic completes the STCW facility at the Maritime Campus at Waa in Kwale County.
With close collaboration with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), KCNP graduates who have gone through technical training in fields like Hospitality, Engineering and other trades, get job opportunities onboard MSC vessels and other shipping lines.
Through our seasoned Industry Advisory Board (IAB), KCNP has been able to maintain a close partnership with MSC and Maersk. We seek their support for our students to get opportunities onboard vessels for sea time experience.
She adds: “Many students have been able to get industrial attachment and internship in different Maritime industries like African Marine and General Engineering Company (AMGECo), Kenya Shipyard, Kenya Ports Authority, Maersk East Africa Limited and across different shipping and logistics companies as well as clearing and forwarding industries.”
KCNP Marine Welding and Fabrication trainee (right) gaining hands-on technical skills at African Marine.
Students at KCNP have the opportunity to undertake market driven courses within the region. Already, a team of students are at National Institute of Transport in Tanzania, an EASTRIP implementing institute, where they are concluding a six-month online training on International Shipping Management.
Last year, a group of trainees undertook a course in Cargo Tallying and some have secured jobs in shipping and logistics companies. Many of college students have been able to get jobs aboard vessels and offshore as the IAB has played a key role in connecting graduates with different recruitment agencies where they are able to apply for jobs.
KCNP is also working with their partners to offer Marine and Hospitality courses such as the GIZ in implementing Dual TVET programmes and KBEST in implementing Blue Economy programmes. Another partner is Aboa Mare Maritime Academy in Turku, Finland, which is offering pedagogical skills to Maritime instructors to enable them offer nautical science and other marine courses.
For instance, in late October, a team of instructors and members of Management were trained in a Global Resource Management course IMO 6.09 – Advancing Innovative Teaching Practices and IMO 6.10 – Train the Simulator Trainer and Assessor.
Through the IAB, KCNP has developed tailor-made curricula in hospitality such as Cruise Animation Level 4 and Mixology, while the Marine courses include Marine Painting Level 4, Marine Welding Level 4, Marine Blasting Level 3, Port Logistics Level 6, Marine Welding and Fabrication Level 5, Cruise Animation Level 5, Marine Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician Level 4, Cargo Equipment Maintenance – Short Course, Marine Life Conservation Level 6, and Maritime Telecommunication System Level 6.
To ensure continuity in providing quality services and producing hands-on graduates in the maritime sector, KCNP has trainers employed by the Government. Since their number is not adequate, they are supported by hired experienced instructors who have been onboard vessels and retired captains who play a key role in capacity building of the new and young instructors.
Information on the full range of courses at the Polytechnic and how to enrol is available here.
