About IAMI

IAMI membership is open to Colleges, Universities and Training Providers who offer maritime education & training programs to seafarers worldwide.

The International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) is the network of colleges and universities which have worked together for over 100 years. Whilst originally a UK centric operation, IAMI have branched out worldwide over the last 10 years, and the members list can be seen below.

The main role of IAMI is to act as the conduit with the various UK maritime regulators, employers and education bodies; including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the deep sea employer group via the Chamber of Shipping (at the Merchant Navy Training Board), the Maritime Skills Alliance, and at European Union based educational forums.

IAMI operate four separate sub-groups, including the Deck/Navigational Training, Engineering Training, Small Craft Training and from January 2019, Marine Hospitality Training.

IAMI welcomes new members who share their vision and goals in the improvement in training and education for seafarers. Members are invited to attend any of the relevant Sub Groups to discuss the issues on current training and demand for new training and qualifications development.

In addition, IAMI hold an annual conference and AGM in May each year which all IAMI members are welcome to attend.

Aims Improvement & development in Maritime Education

The aim of the Association is to provide a platform for an exchange of views between colleges and a channel of communication between the colleges jointly and the various national bodies involved in the training and certification process. The Association is on the consultation list of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the UK regulatory body for marine matters, and its members are frequently in touch regarding both day to day practicalities and future developments.

Representation International Maritime Education Policy

We are represented on the Technical Committee & Careers Forums of the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), and work closely together with the industry and the MCA though that mechanism and through various working parties and sub-committees to agree standards and develop provision. In addition to an Annual Conference, at which colleges meet to discuss marine education and training issues with each other and with representatives of MNTB and MCA, IAMI is expanding its representation through events and further membership and affiliations with other international training organisations so as to increase its influence and recognition.

Activities

Some of the major areas of activity over recent years include the take-over of the GUEST Program of education aimed at crew working hospitality and service departments in the Superyacht sector, and subsequently the formation of the Maritime Hospitality Sub Group; as well as the breakthrough development of new routes to Certification based on the occupational requirements of the industry and STCW 95 while working with MNTB, MCA and industry to develop and maintain Occupational Standards and devise schemes of training for entrants at a variety of levels to meet the needs of different sectors of the industry.

Affiliations

IAMI is formally affiliated by membership to several sister organisations such as IMarEST and extends and receives mutual invitations to engage in joint areas of interest. These links help to forge alliances that enable effective lobbying of government at both national and international levels. It likewise is proactive in areas of marine training where there is rapid growth in demands for qualified mariners such as Superyacht and the renewable energy sectors

Qualifications

Marine higher education diplomas and degree courses have been developed over the last 50 years to deliver and accredit the required underpinning knowledge for a wide and diverse range of marine professionals. IAMI members have created appropriate mechanisms to enable those partially qualified within or outside of the core marine industry to meet the necessary standards to obtain higher academic qualifications. Revised competence based qualifications have also been devised and accredited to the required standard to guide and measure on board development for seafarers. The Association also participated in the formulation of the standard, published by MNTB on behalf of MCA, for statutory short courses to meet STCW 95 requirements.

Member

Institutions The founding UK Member Colleges (most now having become Universities) have a combined wealth of experience in marine education, with committed and well-qualified staff offering an excellent range of modern facilities for simulation and practical training. They pride themselves on maintaining the highest standards of teaching and of integrity, particularly in relation to assessment, and in responding to the needs of the marine industry at large, both specific shipping companies and to the individual mariner.

Examinations

IAMI members individually deliver the full range of maritime courses from higher marine education (degree level), training of all professional mariners’ qualifications (short courses) and GUEST Approved training programmes. A major area of educational activity for IAMI over recent years has been the active development of new routes to marine statutory certification based on the occupational requirements of the industry and the requirements of STCW 95 – as amended. For example, IAMI is closely involved in administering the certification process for STCW certificates of competency on mega yachts up to 3000grt. IAMI host the GUEST Modules Certification platform and in addition undertakes the key role (on behalf of the Maritime Coastguard Agency) to prepare written examinations and manage the assessment of students on the Large Commercial Yachts (Super yachts) Deck Yacht examination modules and STCW, including Engineering Officer of the Watch and Boat Master Examination modules. 

 About IAMI MHSG

The IAMI Maritime Hospitality Training Development Sub Group is made up of volunteering IAMI Members who have an interest and influence within Hospitality and Service education for the Maritime sector.

Key objective is:

Promoting and Delivering Professional Standards for Luxury Maritime Hospitality

With 3 meetings a year and breakout groups working on various projects the members of this Sub Group are dedicated to meeting the objectives for Hospitality and Service education and recognition of GUEST qualifications throughout other relevant sectors.