Conditions for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility to establish seafarer's training facility in Vietnam

Conditions for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility to establish seafarer's training facility in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is seafarer's training facility?

According to Clause 3, Article 3 of Decree 29/2017/ND-CP, seafarer's training facility (hereinafter referred to as training facility) mean a facility which provides training for seafarers in accordance with STCW Convention and obtaining a certificate of eligibility for seafarer’s training as prescribed in Decree 29/2017/ND-CP.

2. Conditions for issuance of the Certificate of eligibility to establish seafarer's training facility

2.1. Conditions for training infrastructure and equipment

According to Article 4 of Decree 29/2017/ND-CP (amended by Clause 1, Article 1 of Decree 147/2018/ND-CP), the conditions for training infrastructure and equipment include:

- Training infrastructure and equipment must comply with national technical regulations promulgated by the Minister of Transport.

- A certificate of quality management system in accordance with ISO standard is issued by a certification body not later than 18 months from the issuance date of the certificate of eligibility for seafarers training.

- An electronic database of management of seafarer’s certificates for the searching purpose is available in accordance with STCW Convention not later than 12 months from the issuance date of the certificate of eligibility for seafarers training.”

2.2. Conditions to be satisfied by lecturers and instructors in Vietnam

Conditions to be satisfied by lecturers and instructors include:

- A theoretical lecturer must obtain at least a relevant bachelor's degree.

- A practical lecturer or instructor must obtain at least a main instructor certificate or an equivalent certificate issued by International Maritime Organization (IMO) or an organization recognized by IMO in accordance with STCW Convention for particular type of training program prescribed by the Minister of Transport.

- Apart from the regulations specified in Decree 29/2017/ND-CP, seafarers training facilities shall comply with relevant regulations of laws on education and vocational education.

(Article 5 of Decree 29/2017/ND-CP (amended by Clause 2 Article 1 Decree 147/2018/ND-CP)

2.3. Conditions for training programs in Vietnam

According to Article 6 of Decree 29/2017/ND-CP, sufficient training programs and materials are available as prescribed by the Minister of Transport

3. Cases of revocation of Certification in Vietnam

A training facility shall have its Certification revoked in any of the following cases:

- It has operation terminated as prescribed by law or upon its request;

- It falsifies information deliberately when applying for issuance of the Certification;

- It does not provide any seafarer's training course within 18 months from the date on which the Certification is issued;

- It fails to eliminate the violations resulting in the suspension upon the expiration of suspension period;

- Other cases as prescribed by law.

(Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 29/2017/ND-CP)

Thanh Rin

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