The Challenges of the Digital Technology Era for Maritime Education and Training

The so-called fourth industrial or digital revolution is characterized by the unification of technologies that breaks the boundaries between physical, digital, and biological disciplines. Compared to three previous industrial revolutions the main differences of fourth are speed, extent and systemic impact. Only jobs that cannot be done by machines will last for the people in future; they will base on creative expression, social interaction, physical dexterity, empathy, ingenuity and collaboration [1]. Are the current education systems and paradigms oriented towards these values and goals? It does not always seem to be so. Mostly still leading a 20th century educational model introduces standardized facts and procedures designed to prepare the workforce for jobs that probably may not exist for a long time; this is not enough to cope with future challenges. The author raises some questions regarding the future education in general and for seafarers in particular. How to be more flexible and responsive to rapid changes? What is the new principles of education in the dynamically developing shipping industry and digital world where all information is available to everyone anytime? How to keep pace with the rapid and extensive changes in industries, including shipping? Lifelong inclusive and equitable education, formal and informal, physical and digital will be vital for the preparation of new populations and society to be successful in this unpredictable future.