Seven students from Donegal and Cork Successfully Graduate from BIM’s National Fisheries College, Greencastle.
The 20th annual Class 3 Marine Engineer Awards Ceremony organised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) took place today (Friday 10th June) in BIM’s National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal.
Group shot: Back row from left to right: Neil Cavanagh, Adeshina Olayode, Shaun Gallagher, Kieran O’Neill, Christopher O’Shea, Shane McBrearty, Conor Hallinan, Tunde Ogunleye.
Front row from left to right: Brian Vaughan, Senior Engineering Instructor, BIM National Fisheries College; Joe McHugh, T.D.; Adrian McClenaghan, Chairman Foyle Fishermens Co-Op; Kieran C. O’Neill, Engineer Trainee of the Year; Kevin Byrne, Chief Engineer MFV Sheanne and Alan Lafferty, Chief Engineer, Pacelli.
Seven trainees, six from Co. Donegal and one from Kerry, successfully completed the one year engineering course approved by the Marine Survey Office that will provide these young graduates with an all-round engineering training qualification including safety training, practical workshop skills and classroom based learning. These essential skills will enable the graduates to progress to a Class 3 Certificate of Competency as a Fishing Vessel Engineer.
Barry Shaw from Killybegs, Co. Donegal achieved the highest marks in the course exams and was presented with the ‘BIM Marine Engineering Trainee of the Year’ award at the ceremony attended by the graduates, their tutors and families today.
Presenting the awards, BIM’s CEO Tara McCarthy said; ‘Congratulations to Barry and all of our young graduates here today. It is truly encouraging to meet such driven and passionate young trainees as they progress on their career path into the Irish Fishing Sector. Attracting talent into our industry is a key priority for BIM and we are proud of the expertise and high standards of courses delivered through our National Fisheries Colleges and on board our Coastal Training Units throughout the year. With this exceptional talent coming on stream, the future of this important indigenous industry is bright and BIM will continue to refine and develop our training provision to ensure it is relevant and meeting the needs of the industry’
During their course, the students completed the QQI Level 5 Engineering Technology Certificate as well as the DTTS General Engineering Science papers. They also completed STCW safety certificates in First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Fighting. The QQI Engineering Technology Level 5 Certificate includes Control Systems, Engineering Drawing, Workshop Processes, Safety and Health at Work, Engineering Workshop Theory, Marine Engineering Processes, Marine Engine Operation, Communication and Work Experience subjects.
Having completed the College year the next phase of their training is to obtain a year’s sea time working on a fishing vessel. During this period, the engineer trainee completes a training record book of tasks and assignments. Following the requisite hours at sea, the trainee will then be eligible to sit an oral examination with the Marine Survey Office which, if successful, leads to the Class 3 Certificate of Competency.
The Class 3 Engineering course runs at the National Fisheries College from September to June and the next course will take place in September. Learn about the course or contact the college for further information on 074 9381068/9381099 or e-mail nfcgreencastle@bim.ie
