ATHENS: Against a highly controversial economic background and while Greeks debate the fresh austerity measures, highly educated and trained professionals, once again turn to the seas.
The Greece shipping industry, controlling almost a fifth of the world’s shipping fleet and long a source of national pride, is always ready to employ professionals with up-to-date knowledge, skills and expertise.
Shipping is one of the few industries in Greece still hiring at good wages in a country where unemployment is continuously on the rise.
Greece is witnessing a surge of enthusiasm from men and women keen to pursue shipbroking as a career. The upswing in the already popular profession in the traditionally strong shipping nation was reported by Bruce Ogilvy, President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, when he addressed a meeting in London of the International Maritime Industries Forum.
Τhe Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) is the major international provider of professional education and training in the shipping industry since 1911.
The Hellenic Management Centre, official educational provider of ICS in Greece, committed to the provision of continuous professional development within the shipping industry offers the Annual Professional Maritime Programme that prepares the candidates for the ICS Professional Qualifying Examinations, leading to ICS Membership, the only professional qualification that is internationally recognised as a mark of competence for shipping professionals.
Greek shipping, still at the top of world rankings and being the country’s most important industry, requires well trained professionals, better equipped to make a difference. And they have!
Proving the above, the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Greek Branch excelled once again this year at the ICS April examinations!
For the second time, Greece had more students and exam papers than in any of the 115 Institute examination centres worldwide. At the same time, the ICS Greek Branch is proud to announce that Greek students received five awards for their high accomplishments at the examinations.
Individuals, as well as Shipping Companies have realised that they can benefit immensely from the ICS Annual Professional Maritime Programme as its unique training approach prepares candidates to directly relate and apply the knowledge, skills and expertise gained from the course immediately on their work. It gives them the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the industry and expand their career potential.
This is mainly because Chartered Shipbroker status commands respect, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning. It also opens the doorway to an established and worldwide network within the shipping industry.
The continual rise in numbers of students and ICs members suggests that professional qualifications are even more important today, as both companies and professionals are preparing themselves for when the market turns.