Mintra is expanding its maritime-specific eLearning course library to support the industry’s move towards digital operations.

Mintra’s course library, which has been developed in partnership with operators to address the core training needs of seafarers, is more than doubling in size from 107 to 238 titles. The courses can be made available onboard a vessel and from Mintra’s cloud-based learning management system, Trainingportal.

The library expansion is part of a drive by Mintra into the maritime space – a move which this year has already seen the acquisition of maritime specialists Safebridge and overall revenue from the sector overtake income from energy for the first time.

Contracts have already been signed with two major new clients ahead of the library expansion being completed, and several existing clients have committed to increase their eLearning spend on the additional titles.

Gareth Gilbert, chief operating officer of Mintra, said the company’s track record in working with digitally mature, safety-critical industries ensured it could support and guide the maritime community as it transitioned towards digitalisation.

“The industry has played a pivotal role in the expansion of our maritime eLearning course library from the outset, demonstrating our commitment to be a genuine and trusted partner of the sector,” he said.

“We worked with existing and prospective clients to examine training matrices and identify courses essential to the competency needs of seafarers and consulted with several highly respected subject matter experts to understand how we could maximise the benefits of our library expansion project.

“The addition of over 100 new technical and compliance courses, all of which have been developed in-house by Mintra supported by the knowledge and expertise of our team of SMEs, has created a holistic eLearning library fit for the needs of today’s seafarers. We now offer a viable, low carbon and cost-efficient alternative as a supplier of a complete digital learning solution.

“More than that, however, we have the ability to revolutionise how that training is delivered with our cloud-based learning and competency management system, Trainingportal. This ends the antiquated process – one that has been a standard approach for over three decades – of physically distributing courses and software via laptops and USB sticks.

“Trainingportal can be accessed from any internet-enabled device, with new or additional content being made available to learners automatically. Specifically designed for vessels moving in and out of connectivity, the platform is also available as an offline solution, meaning crews can access and undertake eLearning courses at any time, even when there is no internet available.”

The new courses represent 66 hours of additional maritime learning content and cover a wide range of safety, regulatory, operational and technical subjects, broken down into rank and job role from deck officers to galley staff. There are also a number of soft skills courses – abilities which are growing in demand given smaller crews and increased automation.