RankUp | Objectives & Outcomes

Project Objective

The prime objective of project RANK-UP is an innovative approach for ratings to upgrade their professional competence from Able Seafarer to Watch-keeping Officer. Existing professional competences will be assessed using ECVET http://www.ecvet-projects.eu elements and principles. A customised sequential scheme of upgrading training, complemented by shipboard placements and distant learning will be designed to achieve the necessary competence upgrading. The rating will attain qualification at the STCW Convention Operational Level, as revised in 2010.

The delivery of the project special work packages are designed to further cross industry collaboration. It is planned to arrange an international workshop in Riga (WP IV) and a final conference in London (WP VIII). The project will make use of all leading edge aids to learning and building competence, answering the 21st century challenge of a global labour market and fostering career advancement for Able Seafarers.

Schedule of Work packages

Workpackages		2011			2012												2013
Workpackages		10	11	12	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1 Management of project (incl. quality management)	NAU
1 Management of project (incl. quality management)	NAU
2 Stocktaking of VET schemes for ratings & linkage with ECVET principles	ENT
3 Definition of missing modules for officer competency at the operational level (STCW A-II/1)	LMA
4 Arrangement of an International Work Group in Riga	NAU
5 Development of conversion courses and career counselling guide	MSG
6 Course-transformation into e-learning & correspondence programme	GSL
7 Testing and evaluation of conversion programme & counselling materials	LMC
8 Dissemination & exploitation incl. dissemination conference in London	MIL
	MIL

Notes
WP 1: runs throughout the whole project. The line shows additional black marks representing the planned Steering Committee Meetings which are the vehicles for controlling and monitoring. Grey marks show efforts for composite of Interim- and Final Report.
WP 4: Findings and improvements evolved within the workshop will subsequently incorporated into the WP concerned such as WP 2 and WP 3.
WP 7: Findings and improvements evolved within the testing phase will subsequently incorporated into the WP concerned, which are WP 3, WP 5, and WP 6.
WP 8: Also this WP includes activities during the entire project. But milestones are special events such as the kick off (10/10), International Workgroup (03/11) and the dissemination conference (08/12) and respective follow ups (grey) and are therefore additionally marked.

Outcomes

RANK-UP is a vocational education and training upgrading scheme which offers smart alternatives to existing standard higher education programs. Ratings converted to nautical watch keeping ships’ officers will gain a secure future with better remuneration, increased social status and future career prospects. The project RANK-UP is designed as an innovative approach carrying forward achievements of the SEA-CHEFS (www.sea-chefs.org) and UniNET projects, attractive for ratings but at the same time ensuring a high standard of maritime education and training. The training and certification programme for Rank-up will be built up by transferable units of learning outcomes which also recognise existing prior learning or qualifications the candidates have achieved.