A new rolling five-year review of seafarer syllabus has been launched by the government to ensure high-quality training to secure the future of the industry. The launching of the UK maritime syllabus is led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The syllabus that will receive the five-yearly revisions is to be used by training centres when teaching seafarer students the skills they require for safe and successful employment at sea.
Any future changes to the syllabus, which was newly revised in September 2025, will be reflected in the recently launched electronic Training Record Books and digital assessments. Updates to the training syllabus will include new technology, enhanced safety standards and improved practice. The next syllabus update is scheduled to be taught from 2030, following the new edition being delivered to training centres in 2029.
The development comes from the MCA-led Cadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) Programme, launched in 2021, which brings together key stakeholders focused on improving seafarer training. The rolling five-year review was backed by the CT&M Programme’s Oversight Committee, which sets the strategic direction of the programme and reports to the Maritime Minister.
The CT&M Programme’s syllabus sub-group, which meets every three months to review modules, has been expanded to include more shipping companies, training providers and industry representation bodies.
MCA Chief Examiner, Ajit Jacob, said that seafarers are the lifeblood of the UK’s maritime economy, meaning it is critical that the syllabus is reviewed annually to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills.
Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Director, Kevin Gregory, said that training seafarers to the highest standard ensures a safe and successful voyage - and with vessel technologies, alternative fuels and regulatory requirements evolving at a rapid pace, the skills needed at sea are also changing.
The CT&M Programme is based on recommendations made by the Seafarer and Cadet Training Review, launched by the Maritime Skills Commission on the instruction of the Maritime Minister in 2021. It brought together key stakeholders, including the MNTB, nautical colleges, and unions, to focus on improving seafarer training. The MCA does not deliver training but is responsible for overseeing that standards are maintained by providers through seafarer assessments and regular audits of the training providers.