Investigating proactive measures towards MET development with respect to 4IR

Abstract

The increasing technological advancement in the maritime industry imposed by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) contributes significantly to changing the nature of jobs, which according to the World Economic Forum, might lead to massive job losses owing to either redundancy or skills mismatch. Nevertheless, the maritime workforce can endure the adverse effects of this transformation by adopting proactively responsive measures for boosting the potential role of seafarers through sustaining an appropriate level of Maritime Education and Training (MET) that comprehends the dynamic evolution of the industry and addresses its future needs. Despite the fact that the IMO has taken several global initiatives in support of the 4IR, it appears that further measures are still urgently required. This implies obligations upon both the national maritime authorities and the maritime educational organizations to tackle this challenge. It is well acknowledged that the primary responsibility of MET Institutions is to equip graduates with future competencies and skills needed for employment. Such duty involves a set of challenges that the MET system needs to address effectively in order to continue delivering a relevant education to the current technological revolution. This research aims to demonstrate indicative examples of global proactive measures adopted at international, national and institutional levels in addition to future skills requirements concerning 4IR. The research concludes with a key approach to the transformational strategy for enabling MET Institutions to maintain the sustainable development of MET Keywords: MET, Maritime Industry, 4IR, Seafarers, Competences, Measures.