On July 8, the 2023 first training course for management-level seafarers in Taiwan was held at Jimei University, and 18 seafarers from Taiwan became the first batch of trainees. This move marks the official launch of the new model project of "Taiwan Seafarers Applying for Renewal of Mainland Crew Certificate Compensation Training".
Under the new model, the training course cycle is compressed from about 30 days to 10 days. Seafarers from Taiwan who have completed the online theoretical course training in the early stage, and then come to Xiamen to complete the offline practical course and pass the exam, can obtain the mainland seafarer certificate of competency issued by the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration. This certificate is recognized by the international shipping industry and can make up for the lack of normal employment in the international seafarer market with only certificates issued by the Taiwan region.
"Certificates of competency need to be renewed every five years. It is very convenient and efficient for us to come to Xiamen to renew certificates, and the cost is the lowest." Hong Weisheng, a seaman from Taiwan, said that this is his second time to participate in training in Xiamen. It will last for 10 days. After the certificate is renewed, he can work on mainland and various international ships.
Jimei University is currently the only training center in the country for Taiwan seafarers to exchange certificates for mainland seafarers. According to statistics, authorized by the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration has successively carried out more than ten sessions of supplementary training during the transitional period of performance of contracts, knowledge update training on certificates of competency, and supplementary training on certificates of competency since 2013. More than 430 Taiwan compatriots participated in the mainland. Crew training, examination and application for mainland crew certificates are facilitated.
At the event site, the Taiwan Education Platform of Jimei University in Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone was unveiled. For a long time, the Management Committee of Xiamen Free Trade Zone has attached great importance to the development of cross-strait shipping cooperation, and has joined hands with the maritime department to jointly promote the crew training project in Taiwan. center". In the first half of this year, our city has completed the mainland's first cross-strait international cruise talent joint training project and the mainland's first Taiwan yacht driver's license facilitation renewal pilot, effectively promoting the common standards in the cross-strait shipping field and the integrated development of the shipping industry.
The relevant person in charge of the Xiamen Free Trade Zone Management Committee said that the next step will continue to play a leading role in piloting and demonstration, and strengthen cross-departmental work linkage and cross-field innovation collaboration. In the near future, we will cooperate with the maritime department to introduce incentive measures and provide real money to create efficient and convenient conditions for Taiwan compatriots to come to Xiamen for training, and to provide more and better services for Taiwan compatriots to "board the heron" and "stay in Xiamen".