Marina Training Chairman predicts lasting change
by Colin Bransgrove 12 May 2020 00:08 PDT
The Chairman of the Global Marina Institute (GMI) Tony Browne CMM predicts a lasting impact on marina training as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
"The necessary embrace of online platforms for meetings and education webinars and courses is fast-tracking our industries permanent use of these methods. We are a global organisation facilitating training across the world from the UK/Europe, the Middle East, Asia and into Australia and New Zealand. The distance between marinas is significant in many countries and the cost of face to training due to the travel costs can be a barrier to participation. On-line communication and learning are meaning more of our industry can access GMI information and learning. We are also starting to see that our industry members are connecting more frequently to discuss issues and share ideas."
As an example of this change the GMI endorsed Intermediate Marina Management course is being conducted online for the first time. What is traditionally a 4.5 day face to face course will also be delivered online this year through the Marina Industries Association (MIA) over a period of four weeks.
As well as marina courses the GMI facilitates an annual certification of senior industry members. The increase in online learning is meaning changes to GMI's continuing professional development process associated with certification.
Tony Browne commented, "While face to face meetings and learning will always be at the forefront of education, any senior marina manager or professional now also needs to embrace the new learning platforms. GMI's certification will therefore recognise this and give greater weight to online professional development."