IMEC Training Manager Dan Aldrich Tolentino declared Batch 2023 “… the biggest batch… a milestone for IMEC.”

The Inauguration Ceremonies at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) at Kamaya Point, Mariveles, Bataan last August 23rd, confirmed the 260+ cadets for Batch 2023 is the largest, indeed.

It coincides with the expansion of IMEC membership to 250 companies worldwide.

Tolentino runs the day-to-day operations of this IMEC program, available only in the Philippines to mould future merchant maritime officers.

Adam Lewis heads over-all training and operations, based in the UK.

Better loyalty.

MAAP Pres. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, retired Vice Admiral, toyed with the stats on Batch 2023:

• Actually 484, (across the whole academy) 12 of them females.
• 86% are 18 & 19 years old eligible to vote
• 96% are graduates of senior high school program; 4% of the old K-10.
• 3 are already degree course graduates
• 69% went through the STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
• 63 or 13% finished the pre-baccalaureate maritime strand in the senior high school.

Starting the 1st year, cadets know the specific company that they are joining. IMEC believes this improves loyalty, familiarity with the corporate culture of the company, and ensures the scholars know where the offices are.

Play card well.

IMEC new Phil Representative RAdm. Bayani R. Gaerlan, retired Rear Admiral, also president of Western Shipping Southeast-Asia, keynotes that the scholars:

 “…had outperformed many other candidates, equally eager and dreaming to enter this prestigious institution.

I tell, for a cadet from other school, finding a vessel to have this shipboard training is one of the hardest parts in a cadet’s life. You are fortunate, this early you already have sponsoring companies. However, what you have accomplished up to this point is just a beginning

… with dedication, right attitude, aptitude for hard work and discipline, you can successfully surmount any obstacles that may come your way. “

Lead agent.

IMEC is the only international employers’ organisation dedicated to maritime industrial relations. Established over 60 years back, it operates from Hampshire, UK, and Manila in the Phil and represents 250 shipping companies with 11,200 vessels of 60 flags, over 300,000 seafarers of 68 nationalities.

In 2006 IMEC started to partner with AMOSUP with an initial batch of 25 MAAP cadets endorsed by IMEC members. In 2008 IMEC cadet program with MAAP was established together with a Philippine office.

Among front-liners is Capt. Belal Ahmed, Managing Director, Western Shipping-Singapore, and new IMEC Chairman. Capt. Belal has been with IMEC for over a decade, involved in Pay negotiations with ITF, assisting IMEC Secretariat and various training initiatives like the IMEC Cadet Program.

Celebrations.

The program was of commitment in various shades. Representatives of sponsoring companies pinned their commitment on their chosen cadets, carried further by group meetings and corporate orientation.

The cadets joined their families beaming with resolve to take a career at sea; in turn, the families masked with joy their equal commitment to support, to do their part whatsoever is the bell weather --- and for now, sweets and potluck with IMEC families of the cities, the provinces and the regions.

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