In April 2004, Wärtsilä signed a co-operation agreement with a maritime training academy in Turku, Finland, AB Utbildning Sydväst (Sydväst Maritime). Through this agreement Wärtsilä Land and Sea Academy (WLSA) provides accredited training courses and IMO/STCW-95 certificates will be awarded to successful graduates. This ‘one-stop-shop’ provides certified maritime training for all aspects of ship handling and engineering.
It is now possible for WLSA to offer around 70 different maritime training courses, plus having the added value capability of being able to modify the training courses so they are based on the customer’s specific needs. WLSA now also has the competence to deliver simulator training courses as part of a planned programme.
This co-operation with Sydväst Maritime has provided WLSA with access to ‘state-of-the-art’ bridge simulator technology. Recently WLSA acquired the latest in engine simulators which means that WLSA now has the capability and capacity to deliver both ship handling and engine room training courses.
With today’s ships becoming ever more complex and technically sophisticated, a well trained ship’s crew not only ensures safety on board but also provides for the effective management of all the ship’s operations. The training of ship personnel, at all levels, to a high standard of professionalism is becoming a vital necessity for maritime companies around the world.
Mr Jari Ullakonoja, Director, WLSA comments “The need for training officers and crews has increased rapidly. In the past, the conventional way has been to buy these courses from several suppliers, which can be both time consuming and expensive. We are seeing that customers are now recognizing the advantages of buying all training from one supplier as this can save time and money.”
WLSA will now offer a complete ‘one-stop-shop’ centre for maritime training solutions to Scandinavian, European and Russian maritime companies. This total training solution means that all deck, navigational, engineering, galley, safety and security training are located in one establishment. This centre can be visited by WLSA’s customers so they can view the training facilities and evaluate the courses for themselves.
Media contact:
Marit Holmlund-Sund
Public Relations Manager, Ship Power
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1941
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1942
e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
or:
Jari Ullakonoja
Director
Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy
Direct tel: +358 10 709 3252
Direct fax: +358 10 709 3411
e-mail: jari.ullakonoja@wartsila.com
Internet: wlsa.wartsila.com
About Wärtsilä Corporation
Wärtsilä is The Ship Power Supplier for builders, owners and operators of vessels and offshore installations. We are the only company with a global service network to take complete care of customers’ ship machinery at every lifecycle stage.
Wärtsilä is a leading provider of power plants, operation and lifetime care services in decentralised power generation.
For more information on Wärtsilä, visit the web site at: www.wartsila.com
About AB Utbildning Sydväst (Sydväst Maritime)
Sydväst Maritime in Turku, Finland provides nautical education for its students as well as further competence training for ship crews and officers and other personnel within the shipping industry.
As the first vocational school in Finland, the school for maritime training, was founded in Turku in 1813. In 2003, the school celebrated its 190th anniversary, now under the name of Sydväst Maritime.
During 2004, Sydväst Maritime launched a training programme for marine engineers in which Wärtsilä was involved. Tailor made training programmes for marine companies have been one of Sydväst Maritime’s specialities.
Sydväst Maritime’s recent investments into advanced bridge simulators have proved their worth as the polytechnic has recently gained new business from marine authorities and several large shipping companies.
