Industry Embraces Long Distance Learning

According to Lloyd’s Maritime Academy (LMA), the recession has caused a nine per cent increase in applications to distance learning courses over the last 12 months, as employers seek cost efficient new ways to improve the skills of their staff, and industry executives try to ‘recession proof’ their careers.

The shipping industry has been hit harder than most during the economic downturn and many employers have been demanding evidence of high-level current qualifications and expertise, yet they are reluctant to allow staff time away from the workplace to study.

Last year, LMA and Middlesex University launched the maritime sector’s very first distance learning MBA. More than 4,500 industry executives from across the globe enquired about the MBA in Shipping & Logistics course in its first year, with more than 60 per cent of successful applicants being self-funded students, confirming that the industry is now adopting the very best higher-education distance learning courses to develop skills for the future in a cost and time efficient manner.

As a global industry, it has been vital for the maritime sector to adopt distance learning programmes, to allow seafaring staff to study, minimise travel expenses and maximise efficiency, especially during the tough economic times. The popularity of higher-education online learning is shown by the diversity of people that enrolled on the first MBA course – more than a quarter were of senior management level, 10 per cent of students were ship pilots/captains, and six per cent were terminal operators, the remainder include insurance brokers, lawyers, ship brokers and surveyors.

The MBA in Shipping & Logistics is designed specifically for managers in the shipping sector and related logistics businesses. The programme consists of six modules delivered over a two-year period with the topics covered including maritime administration, ship finance, risk management, economics and trade, maritime law, formulating business strategy, human resource management, executive leadership, international marketing, brand establishment, logistics and supply chain management, project mastery and innovative practice.

The 2010-12 programme commences on 11 October 2010 and applications must be received by 31 August 2010, Further information and application forms can be downloaded from www.mba4shipping.com or by calling +44 (0)20 3377 3209.