POINT BLANCHE:--- 20 stevedores working for St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV (SSS) completed six days of training carried out by the Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.
Lilian Hohl, CMA CGM's local area representative, presented the certificates in the presence of George Pilgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring. CMA CGM is the third-largest shipping company in the world and one of the port’s biggest customers.
Each stevedore has completed training and assessment activities and retained the required knowledge and competencies outlined in The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910-178 guidelines for General Industry and Stevedoring Foundation Skills Training Standards.
Each stevedore was awarded a certificate of competence in Stevedoring Foundation Skills—Level 1, a certificate of training in Fundamentals of OHS for Maritime Port Operations, and a certificate of training in Lashing and Unlashing Operations.
Businessman George Pilgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV, said he is very proud of what the seasoned Stevedores have accomplished. Pelgrim initiated the initiative with the Institute for Industrial Solutions for a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker.’
The training started on April 5 and concluded on April 10.
“This newly forged relationship between IIS for workforce development solutions and performance management and SSS is designed to improve the company’s performance further and adhere to international standards, maintain high employee morale, and create a long-term formal structure for training, employee development, and talent management along with leadership development in the areas that we provide services in such as maritime transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
“This training and workforce development is part of Intermar Group of Companies' long-term strategic plan to increase investment in human resource care and development, thus creating a sustainable workforce that is part and parcel of our national human resource advancement,” Pilgrim said.
Maritime transportation and allied services play a vital role in ensuring citizen satisfaction, the development of tourism products, and the efficient delivery of service standards across St. Maarten.
One key factor that can significantly impact the success of maritime services is investing in the training and development of employees at all levels. By equipping the country’s port workers with the necessary attitude, skills, and knowledge, businesses can enhance their overall customer experience, meet international standards, realize business continuity, and drive long-term success.
“We have really been trying to improve Port, Maritime, Transportation, Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution service offered across the region,” said Forrest. “Our aim is to provide ongoing training, assessment and certification for the entire industry, the objective is to keep the Caribbean Region operations at International Standard.”
