Scam watch: ensure your training centre is MCA approved before signing up!

Nautilus is advising members to check that their training centre is a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Approved Training Provider (MCA ATP) before signing up for STCW or other necessary training.

The Union has recently been contacted by a member who completed STCW modules at Barcelona Sea Academy. He was issued with certificates confirming his completion of the courses, but was later informed by his employer that the Academy was not MCA approved – meaning that the certificates were not valid.

Without the appropriate STCW certificates from an Approved Training Provider, the MCA cannot issue you with a certificate of competency, so it is very important to check that your training company is in conformity. Companies that claim to be MCA approved may not actually be working in line with MCA standards.

A full and up-to-date list of MCA Approved Training Providers can be found here. If you are still unsure, you can contact the MCA to check.