Page 29 - 2022 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

Ch. Engineer. Emmanouil Varthalitis, Ch. Engineer. Benigno B. Domingo,
19 years with Minerva Marine 22 years with Minerva Marine

ATHINA enabled me to better understand the ship’s systems ΑΤΗΙΝΑ’s seminars and training focus on
the work that needs to be done on board
What do you think of the company’s we endure on board with the firsthand expe-
decision in 2018 to establish an in-house rience gained from their sea-going service. What do you think of the company’s
training center? decision in 2018 to establish an in-house
The establishment of Minerva’s training Since its inception, the ATHINA Training training center?
center was a stepping stone for the compa- Center motto has been “Where Seafarers
ny, showing its business partners the level Always Come First.” Did you get this Minerva Marine officers and cadets will
of its commitment to its personnel through feeling when you visited ATHINA for a be better trained because the company
investing in a state-of-the-art center that seminar? knows the training needs of its crew
provides all participants with the necessary The center has truly been built around our members. So, establishing its own training
knowledge and a deeper insight into the needs as employees, always making us a pri- center benefits all of us who work on her
ship’s systems. ority and consistently evolving to cover the ships.
The courses offered by the upgraded increasingly demanding situations that may
training center ensure a better learning be encountered on board. The way seminars Has training at the ATHINA Center helped
outcome for the crews of Minerva’s ships, and lectures are conducted is closer to re- you to be more efficient in your job
which shows all counterparts the level of al-life experiences and issues that may have onboard the ship?
professionalism achieved. troubled us on board, allowing us to offer Yes, it was very effective for me as a
input about the situations being discussed. new Chief Engineer because the center’s
Has training at the ATHINA Center helped seminars and training focus on the work
you to be more efficient in your job What would you expect/like to see from that needs to be done on board. Current
onboard the ship? ATHINA in terms of training and develop- company regulations and policies were
The training I received at the ATHINA ment in the future? also discussed during the seminars, which
enabled me to better understand the Up to now, the center has covered a vast is very important for my work onboard.
ship’s systems, allowing me to act and even range of issues. Still, it continues to expand
prevent negative situations. its courses and seminars for experienced Since its inception, the ATHINA Training
That was thanks to the facilities but, most officers and our younger colleagues, of- Center motto has been “Where Seafarers
importantly, the instructors, who go the fering them a springboard for their future Always Come First.” Did you get this feeling
extra mile to help us with the conditions development. when you visited ATHINA for a seminar?
Yes, I did because the seminars and train-
ing focused on our real-life work onboard,
using comprehensive learning material
explained adequately, which helped our
development as seafarers.
What would you expect/like to see from
ATHINA in terms of training and develop-
ment in the future?
As a Filipino miles away from the ATHINA
Training Center, it would be beneficial if the
center provided me with regular refresher
training on the latest developments in ma-
rine technology.

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