THE PILOT GROUP OF RAMPING CADETS AT ISNTC

Ramp – A roadway leading from one level to another

Last June 2006, ISNTC launched is pilot Ramping Cadets group. Basically, these are cadets

who are aspiring to be cadets of ISNTC and work on board. Because of constantly changing international standards set by the global demands on the maritime industry the company initiated a program to upgrade the academic skills of its cadets through a training entitled “ Ramping Cadets” The training department, headed by Captain Palenzuela and Captain Moro saw the great need to fill manning requirements of foreign principals. They saw diamonds in the rough among the cadets and decided to mold these young men into full-fledged cadets. Thus, the Ramping Cadets program began.

The program consists of two review courses: English Proficiency and Mathematics. The English part of the program was handled by ISNTC’s training affiliate Advanced Speech and Academic Professionals or ASAP. It involved a review of basic grammar, essay and letter writing, public speaking, and reporting skills. The Mathematics program, on the other hand, reviewed the participants on job-specific Math skills.

The training worked around an elimination process, where only the toughest survive. The English and Mathematics trainers were instructed to give the participants a battery of tests, drills, and periodic evaluations to see who are academically prepared to undergo the full cadetship program. The participants were fully aware of this setup and strived hard to meet the requirements.

The ISNTC training department is happy to say that the program yielded positive results. The passing rate ensures a sufficient cadet population to help keep ASM in its niche in the maritime industry. The successful passers now feel the challenge and are ready to step up to the plate and show what they are capable of. The positive result has inspired ISNTC and there are talks of more groups of Ramping Cadets to come.


“Courage is the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others.”

– Winston Churchill