ESPA training for unemployed seafarers: By decision of the Deputy Minister of Economy Nikos Papathanasis, the Action for the vocational training of 2,420 unemployed seafarers is included in the Program “Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021-2027”
By decision of the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, the Action “Training programs for unemployed seafarers and provision of professional certification 2025-2026”, with a total public expenditure of 3,500,000 euros, is included in the ESPA Program “Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021-2027”. Participants are to be paid a training allowance as support during their attendance. During the implementation of the program, insurance of the participants by another insurance body is not required, as they enjoy full insurance coverage from the Seamen’s Pension Fund (Οίκο Ναύτου).
The training programs are implemented in the form of repeated cycles based on training standards established by the International Convention STCW ’78 and lead, provided the other conditions of the existing legislation are met, to the certification of the knowledge of the said trainee seafarers through the acquisition of certificates of maritime competency and service rights on ships.
Through the training programs, 2,420 unemployed seafarers who are off-ship are expected to benefit; depending on their specialty and the subject of training, they will have the opportunity to update and improve their knowledge, reintegrate into the maritime labor market, and advance to the next hierarchical ranks on board, in accordance with international requirements for the safety of navigation.
The training programs are implemented in the Public Merchant Marine Schools, specifically:
—At the Merchant Navy Officers-Engineers Training Center /P-M RENTIS based in Ag. Ioannis Rentis and /P-M MAKEDONIAS based in Nea Michaniona, Thessaloniki. The trainings achieve the appropriate preparation of candidates for obtaining the Captain – First and Second Class Engineer Merchant Navy (E.N.) diplomas, as well as the retraining of graduate Captains-Engineers to provide specialized and complementary knowledge corresponding to the noted changes and technological developments in merchant ships.
—At the Merchant Navy Radioelectronics-Radiocommunications Staff Training Center (/RH-RE), based in Aspropyrgos, where the necessary vocational training – further education is provided to seafarers, in order for them to acquire the necessary professional rights regarding Ship Radiocommunications (GMDSS), adapted to the modern technological developments of their specialty.
—At the Special Departments of AEN for Second’- Third’ Class Captains-Engineers and E.N. Electricians, based at the AEN facilities, which operate in the form of repeated cycles, training programs for unemployed seafarers specializing in Second’-Third’ Class Captains-Engineers and E.N. Electricians, as well as Helmsmen who do not come from higher production schools of initial maritime vocational training (AEN), in the following form: (i) Special Department for Second’ – Third’ Class Captains and E.N. Helmsmen, (ii) Special Department for Second’ -Third’ Class Engineers, and (iii) Special Department for E.N. Electricians for /TEI graduates and EPAL-SAEK (former IEK) graduates.
— At the Public Merchant Marine School for Retraining of Boatswains (/MET-THAL), based in Ag. Ioannis Rentis, where vocational training is provided to seafarers after two years of total sea service. After their successful graduation, the students, after completing three years of sea service, receive the First Class Boatswain E.N. license.
The beneficiary of the Action is the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy / Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
