RATING EDUCATION

Sjónám offers the rating education annually.

The educationwill go ahead provided the minimum number (4) of participants apply.

The rating education consists of a 20-week basic module and a 20-week final module. A certificate is issued upon completion of the full 40-week programme.

The executive order on the final module of the rating education came into effect in November 2015.

Register here www.sjonam.fo. You can also send your completed application (including school certificate, health certificate and birth certificate) to sjonam@sjonam.fo or by post to:

Sjónám

Faktorsvegur 14

700 Klaksvík

Faroe Islands

Applicants are required to have passed the equivalent of the 9th form exams in the Faroese ‘fólkaskúlin’ public school. Contact Sjónám for details on international equivalents.

Applicants are also required to hold a valid health certificate for seafarers with no limitations and to be suitable for lookout duty.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, provided that the course is not fully subscribed, a minimum of 4 candidates apply and the entry requirements are met.

Pursuant to the current executive order no. 105 of 5 August 2015 on certificates of competency and qualification requirements for ship crews, an approved training record book is usually required for a certificate of competency to be issued. For further details, click here (in Faroese only).

Download the training record book here (in Danish).

Completion of the rating education + 9 months of approved seagoing service on seagoing ships with a gross tonnage of 20 or above grants eligibility to apply for admission to the skipper education.

Completion of the rating education + certificate of competency + 3 months of approved seagoing service on seagoing ships with a gross tonnage of 20 or above qualifies a person for serving as deck officer on board merchant ships with a gross tonnage of 20-99 for distances up to 200 nautical miles from the straight baselines, i.e. including near coastal voyages and domestic voyages.

The rating education + certificate of competency + 3 months of approved seagoing service on ships with a gross tonnage of 20 or above qualifies a person for working as captain and officer/mate on board fishing vessels with a length of 15-24 metres and scantlings of 100 or above for distances up to 200 nautical miles from the straight baselines, i.e. including near coastal voyages and domestic voyages.

The certificate of competency is optional from the start of the programme.

See “flow card” for able ship’s assistant/rating and able-bodied seaman.

Pursuant to the current executive order no. 105 of 5 August 2015 on certificates of competency and qualification requirements for ship crews, an approved training record book is usually required in order to be issued a certificate of competency. For further details, click here (in Faroese only).

Download the training record book here (in Danish).

Sjónám cannot offer accommodation for its participants. Accommodation queries can be directed to Klaksvík information centre or the Tekniski Skúli college. It is also possible to advertise for rental properties in local media.

If you have any questions, feel free to call Sjónám at +298 665888.

Under the provisions of Section 4, Section 6 subsection 1, clauses 1-5, Section 8 subsection 4 and Section 11 in Parliamentary Act no. 55 of 24 April 2001 regarding qualifications of ship crew members, etc. the following shall be laid down:

Section 1. This executive order covers the final module of the rating education pursuant to Section 5.

Requirements for the final module:

Section 2. The final module of the rating education must meet the requirement of the international convention on standards of training for seafarers, certification and watchkeeping, with subsequent amendments, the STCW convention, section VI/1 regarding basic safety familiarisation and the theoretical topics pursuant to sections II/4 and III/4 regarding watchkeeping.

Subsection 2. In addition to meeting the above requirements, participants should acquire the appropriate standard of competence outlined in sections II/5 and III/5 of the STCW convention.

Section 3. The final module of the rating education shall provide participants with the necessary tools to develop as part of the ship crew.

Section 4. The standards of competence cover the knowledge, skills and competencies that participants are required to attain in the final module.

Subsection 2. To pass the final module of the rating education, candidates must have attained satisfactory standards of knowledge in the following fields:

1)   The structure of a ship, including layout, machinery and other equipment

2)   The navigational and machine engineering aspects of a ship

3)   The importance of proper maintenance on board

4)   The risks occurring on board various ship types to prevent accidents and work injuries

5)   Procedures regarding transport and handling of cargo

6)   The basic concepts of and contribution to the improvement of existing and new work procedures.

Subsection 3. To pass the final module of the rating education, candidates must have attained satisfactory skills and experience in the following fields:

1)   Active participation in the development and maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment

2)   Active maintenance and repair work on board a ship

3)   Using and maintaining rescue equipment 

4)   Practical experience of working on board with cordage, wire ropes and equipment for lashing

5)   Working to the required quality standards

6)   Practical fire fighting

7)   Contribution to the improvement of the overall quality of work.

8)   Have used and actively communicated in English in the relevant fields of work.

Subsection 4. To pass the final module of the rating education, candidates must have attained satisfactory competencies in the following fields:

1)   Active participation in the collaboration on task planning

2)   Independent performance of practical tasks related to regular work on a ship, including maintenance work

3)   Conduct small transport tasks, including operating a crane.

Subsection 5. Upon course completion, participants shall meet the requirements of the STCW convention in accordance with the quality requirements set by the Faroese Ministry of Culture with regards to:

1)   Operating a rescue boat, survival raft and man overboard boat in accordance with section VI/2, paragraph 1, of the STCW convention.

2)   Certificate of competency in engine operation

3)   Security awareness and security-related tasks on ships in accordance with section VI/6, paragraph 4 of the STCW convention.

Section 5. The school is responsible for admission to the final module of the rating education. This includes ensuring that applicants meet the entry requirements pursuant to subsections 2 and 3 of this section.

Subsection 2. Admission to the final module of rating education may be granted to applicants who have passed the basic course of the rating education – or seafarers with substantial practical experience and relevant theoretical knowledge.

Subsection 3. Admission to the final module is additionally dependent on applicants holding a valid health certificate for seafarers.

Section 6. The school specifies in its syllabus the regulations and guidelines relating to the structure of education and how to implement the objectives. A syllabus shall describe how the schools’ education structure meets the requirements of the requirements of the STCW convention.

Subsection. 2. The syllabus shall also include provisions regarding:

1)   Objectives for the programme

2)   The structure of programme, including details on modules and ECTS points

3)   Teaching methods and methods of collaboration

4)   Collaboration with industry and other educational establishments

5)   Syllabuses

6)   Grade conversion.

Subsection. 3. Syllabuses and substantial changes in the system come into effect at the start of the course.

Subsection. 4. Syllabuses and substantial changes in the system pursuant to subsection 3 shall specify any change.

Subsection. 5. The current syllabus must be accessible on the school’s website and must additionally be documented in the school’s quality assurance system.

Section 7. Examinations and assessments shall be processed in accordance with the regulation on examinations for maritime education and training. 

Section 8. The school issues a graduation certificate when a participant has passed the final exam in the rating education.

Section 9. Teachers providing lessons in the rating education must, as a minimum, be a certified rating as well as a certified ship master’s with no less than two years of experience as chief officer or captain of merchant ships or, alternatively for engineering modules, hold a engineering degree.

Subsection 2. To be permanently employed, a teacher must have undergone relevant educational studies equivalent to 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points.

Section 10. The final module in the rating education has been fixed at one half term, equivalent to 30 ECTS points.

Subsection 2. Decisions made by the school with reference to this regulation can be appealed to the relevant minister.

Subsection 3. Appeals of decisions pursuant to subsection 2 shall be submitted to the school principal for consultation. The complainant has the right to comment on the consultation response from the school principal no later than 7 days after the school principal has submitted a written declaration of the consultation to the complainant.

Subsection 4. The school principal sends the complaint, the consultation response and possible comments from the complainant to the relevant minister.

Subsection 5. The deadline for appeals pursuant to subsection 2 is two weeks after the school’s decision has been declared in in writing to the complainant.

Subsection 6. Appeals relating to examinations and other assessment procedures shall be processed in accordance with regulations on the examination system for maritime education.

Subsection 7. The school has the overall responsibility for ensuring that the basic course in the rating education is delivered in accordance with the syllabus.

Section 11. This executive order comes into effect the day after its official publication.

For further details of the contents of the final module of the rating education in document 1 at the back of this executive order, which can be downloaded here (in Faroese only): Executive order no. 121 of 11 November 2015.