Training and Competency Programs

Training and competency programs support workers in performing their roles safely, efficiently, and responsibly. This may include, among others, induction training for new workers and contractors, safety and environmental awareness programs, equipment operation certification, emergency response drills (fire, spills, natural hazards), ongoing refresher training and skills development, and digital or mobile training tools for remote or small ports.

For DMC ports, training and competency programs can reduce accidents and environmental incidents, improve operational efficiency and resilience, support adoption of new technologies and practices, build local workforce capacity, and enhance long term employment prospects.

Port workforce training encompasses induction, role specific competency, safety and environmental awareness, equipment operation certification, and emergency response capability. The IMO International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), adopted in 1978 and significantly amended in 2010 (the Manila Amendments), establishes minimum standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers (IMO, 1978/2010). Training and certification of maritime pilots is addressed separately in IMO Resolution A.960(23) (IMO, 2003).

Port specific training programs include the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Port Professional Associate (PPA), Port Professional Manager (PPM) and Port Professional Executive (PPX) programs, which provide professional development pathways for port professionals at all stages of their careers (AAPA, n.d.).

Training for decarbonization is an emerging priority. A study by DNV for the Maritime Just Transition Task Force examined the seafarer training and skills needed to support a decarbonized shipping industry, identifying training needs for alternative fuels used for propulsion (such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen) and increased digital and technical competence (DNV, 2022). Port workforce training complements seafarer training by preparing port workers for the technologies and operational changes associated with decarbonization, including shore power, alternative fuel bunkering, and automated handling.

Digital and mobile training tools can extend training access to smaller ports and remote workers. E learning platforms, mobile training applications, virtual reality training for hazardous activities, and simulator based training for equipment operation reduce reliance on physical training centers and travel. These tools are particularly valuable for DMC ports where workforce distribution across multiple facilities and ports of varying sizes may limit access to centralized training resources.

Gender equality in port workforce development has received increasing attention. Marine Policy research has analyzed gender equality for sustainability in ports, finding that gender equality has been a low priority in port sustainability efforts and proposing a framework for how ports move from gender segregation towards gender equality (Barreiro-Gen et al., 2021). Training programs that address diversity and inclusion, alongside technical competencies, support more equitable workforce development.