Panama Maritime Training Services
Jul 18th, 2008 by Don Ray
Dario invited me to help him with a class he teaches at the Panama Maritime Training Services. Like my previous visit, this exercise was to provide interview practice and grade them on their proficiency.
There were six students out of 15 that were in the class. Nine were missing. Just like last time I had a set of possible interview questions. These were typical questions that each of the students should expect to be asked during an interview.
Anyone that has given interview or has been interviewed, knows that the objective is to demonstrate competence in communication as well as knowledge in the work area and a desire to have the job.
Of the three areas, the one I want to talk about today is the last one. I think out of the six students, four of them answered the question, “Why do you want this job?”, with similar answers.
Each described their family and told how much this job meant to them, because they could send money back home to help their family. That means their father, mother, brothers and sisters. I felt that all, that answered that way, really felt the desire to help.
I have to tell you that hearing the desire, really makes you wish you could do more in assisting them to obtain one of these jobs. Anyone, that has been on a cruise, knows that the support positions on a cruise ship require very hard work and long hours. However, the pay scale on a cruise ship compared to the pay scale in Panama provides a lot of incentive. I wish them all luck.
Here are five of the students, Dario in the tan shirt and one gringo.
De manera muy respetuosa deseo comentarles que estoy casada con un US.Navy con basta experiencia, y me resulta muy extraño que en su fotografía de presentación no veo un oficial de línea con grado mercante, oficial de altura debidamente uniformado. Es muy interesante que se esté implementando este tipo de formación profesional en nuestra bella provincia chiricana, y nos enorgullecería grandemente participar en este proyecto educativo de formación marítima.
Gracias
O J Cevall
Hi Idelia, The training in this school is intended to prepare the students to work in a cruise ship as waiters, bartenders, and quarter servants. It is a limited 4 month course. They are also taught English since most cruise ships require English to be able to communicate with the guests on-board.