Research the course content
Now it’s time to focus on the course itself. Research the course details such as how it will be taught, what topics/units it will cover, entry requirements and course duration. How up to date is the course content? Also, check what type and level of qualification you’d receive at the end, i.e. is it accredited by a recognised awarding body? Would you receive a certificate of attendance or an official Level 4/5 diploma qualification?
Find out who will be teaching you. Are the course tutors industry experts at the top of their game and what kind of qualifications and relevant experience do they have?
How the course is assessed is something you need to consider. Will course assignments and theory- based exams help you gain the skills you need, or would a hands-on practical approach be more suitable? All of these should help you decide which course is right for you.
Of course, you’ll also want to know what costs are involved so you that can make sure you’re making a valuable investment. How much does the course cost? Do you have the option to buy a single unit if you don’t have the time or desire to complete the full qualification? Are there any other costs you’ll have to factor in, e.g. travel expenses, course materials, examination fees, etc. Knowing how to pay for the course is important. Does the provider give the option for staged payment plans? It’s also worth understanding their cancellation
policy (if any).
What to watch out for
There’s no harm in taking a second look before paying for a course. It’s your money after all.
• Watch out for their answers. Communication is key. But this is a two-way street. Make sure you ask all the questions you want to know about the course before signing up. It’s worth asking which authorities you can present the qualification to knowing it will be recognised and where else it is accepted. If they don’t know, your suspicions should be aroused.
• Watch out for the marketing bling. Don’t solely judge a provider by their social media presence (this goes both ways). Contact past students to find out what their experience was like. Exploring the provider’s website can also be a good indicator on the quality of their courses and support. Read the ‘About Us’ page. Are there multiple typos as is sometimes the case? Do the images not load? Is the site difficult to navigate? Does it look unprofessional? These should set alarm bells ringing.
• Watch out for the provider’s accreditations and memberships. We’ve said this before, but checking up on them can help reassure you that the qualification you’ll gain is up to industry standards and will be accepted. IIMS, for one, does not accept a number of certificates when they are presented to support a new membership application because of the poor-quality training offered by the provider.
• Watch out for the price. Is the course provider making you a substantially discounted offer based on the original cost? If so, question why this is the case and be suspicious. Does giving away course material at a cheap cost devalue the content and importance of the qualification?
In conclusion
IIMS Chief Executive Officer, Mike Schwarz, has the last word.
He said, “Over the years, IIMS has been an ethical provider of education and training for marine surveyors, both for new as well as experienced surveyors. IIMS was the first organisation to develop a marine surveying distance learning education programme, set at first year university Level 4/5, some 20 years ago. Many education providers have followed, some good and some frankly rotten.
“IIMS has gone out of its way to gain the internationally acclaimed ISO 9001 accreditation for ‘Training in Marine Surveying’, because we believe it to be important. Our distance learning professional qualifications programme is an award winner too, coupled with our acclaimed training events held internationally throughout the year. This shows our commitment to the industry and demonstrates that we take the provision of education and training seriously enough to have had our work externally audited by DNV.
“We encourage student feedback and take it seriously and can point to many satisfied students who have learned with the Institute over the years, including a future IIMS President to be! How we handle, care for and communicate with our students is of great importance. We provide ongoing contact through to the end of the course and way beyond if desired.
“Our significant investment in a state-of-the-art student portal, which makes studying intuitive and pleasurable, is testament to our ongoing commitment as a major provider of quality marine surveyor training. You won’t see marketing bling, as mentioned earlier in this article, from IIMS – just an honest and transparent overview of our credentials and prowess as an educator in marine surveying.
For more information about the IIMS education programme and professional qualifications go to
https://bit.ly/3CU3hHY.
128 | ISSUE 110 | DEC 2024 | THE REPORT
“Becoming a marine surveyor is not an easy task. The job is multi-faceted, demanding and requires the ability to expertly and forensically examine vessels and cargoes, and then compile a comprehensive report. That knowledge and those skills can only be taught by surveyors who are at the top of their profession.”
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