MD appointed as Assessment Agency for Professional Maritime Qualifications

     The Marine Department (MD) has been appointed by the Secretary for Education as the Assessment Agency for Professional Maritime Qualifications under the Qualifications Framework (QF) for a period of five years commencing today (September 3).
 
     The MD is the first government department to be appointed as the Assessment Agency for Professional Maritime Qualifications under the QF.
 
     Seven professional maritime qualifications have been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and are recognised under the QF, namely seagoing Certificates of Competency (CoCs) for Deck Officer Class 3, Class 2 and Class 1; CoCs for Marine Engineer Officer Class 3, Class 2 and Class 1; and CoCs for Electro-technical Officer. The CoCs for Deck Officer Class 2 and Class 1 and for Marine Engineer Officer Class 2 and Class 1 are pitched at QF Level 5, whereas the CoCs for Deck Officer Class 3, Marine Engineer Class 3 and Electro-technical Officer are pitched at QF Level 4.
 
     The spokesperson for the MD said, "With the support of the Manpower Development Committee of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, the MD started the accreditation exercise in January 2017 with a view to recognising the various seagoing CoCs granted by the Department under the QF. The appointment as the Assessment Agency has proved that the MD has a fair, transparent and consistent assessment strategy under which valid and reliable assessment methods for the CoCs have been developed. It is a milestone for the maritime industry, as such recognition of the professional seafaring qualifications will provide a clear progression ladder for new blood to pursue studies and qualification development in the industry."
 
     Candidates sitting for the examination to attain any of the above seven seagoing CoCs starting September 3, 2018 will be accredited by the MD with the relevant professional maritime qualification under the QF.