CHARTING OPTIMUM EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS FOR COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION STUDENTS AND GRADUATES
Keywords:
Maritime Education, Employability, Competency, Simulator Training, Basic Training, IGF Code, STCWAbstract
This paper will consider the competence, training exposure, and employability performance of maritime students and graduates in the context of maritime international standards, especially the STCW Convention and the IGF Code. Based on a descriptive-correlational type of research, the study evaluated the competence in a Basic Training, IGF Code awareness, and simulator-based operations and established the relations between them and academic performance and employment success. The results show that students demonstrate sufficient competence in basic safety training and practice in simulators, but moderate competence in complex IGF related skills was found. The positive relationships between the indicators of employability, training competence, and academic performance were statistically verified. Graduates who were more operationally ready, simulator able and those who complied with the regulations were more successful in finding maritime jobs. The research highlights the importance of reinforced elements of curriculum, increased exposure to simulators, and improved congruency of training schools and industry requirements. These results reveal the importance of competency-based education to maximize employment opportunities and make maritime graduates globally competitive.
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Published on: 25-01-2026
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Copyright (c) 2026 Vincent Punzalan Dela Cruz
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