Applications are now open for twenty-five (25) online training placements for candidates from developing States, Members of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
The placements, which will be made available in 2023, are provided by UKSR I and II in accordance with their obligations under their contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules with ISA as follows:
- UK Seabed Resources Ltd. (UKSR I) pursuant to its contract signed with ISA in 2013 is offering eight (8) training opportunities; and
- UK Seabed Resources Ltd. (UKSR II) pursuant to its contract signed with ISA in 2016 is offering seventeen (17) training opportunities.
The online training course which has been developed in collaboration with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) will cover key aspects of deep-sea mining. The course will provide approximately 30 hours of learning and will be available for completion by selected candidates for six to eight weeks. The training is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2023. The exact dates will be confirmed and communicated to candidates with sufficient time to prepare.
The Ocean Biogeosciences Group at NOC in conjunction with other experts from the organisation has worked to ensure that the course provides the highest standard of scientific content to candidates. The programme is aimed at providing an objective and evidence-based introduction to the main areas of the upstream deep-sea mining value-chain; from exploration, site characterisation, regulations, environmental considerations and operations technologies. The course has four main objectives:
- To provide candidates with a blended learning experience; short video lectures, real-world examples, live, online Q&A, offline reading, desktop case-study.
- To provide an accessible and easily understood introduction to the critical areas of deep-sea mining ensuring that the course content is as clear and understandable to candidates with a range of academic and non-academic backgrounds.
- To ensure that the course provides a science-based objective view of deep-sea mining and does not endorse or oppose deep-sea mining and is based on the most relevant science as determined by world-leading experts.
- To give candidates the understanding and confidence to be able to interact with the deep-sea mining sector and those individuals and organisations that work in it to a reasonable technical standard.
As a minimum requirement, candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics or technology or a minimum of 5 years in a technical role in their career. All candidates should possess sound knowledge of the English language attested by a certificate and must have access to laptops and reliable internet connection.
Please visit UKSR I and UKSR II for more information and to apply. Applications by qualified candidates should be received no later than 30 September 2023 31 October 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
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All contractors with ISA have a legal obligation to provide and fund training opportunities for personnel from developing States and those of ISA.
The legal basis for the requirement stems from the provisions of UNCLOS and the 1994 Agreement and is set out in the standard terms of contracts. Its purpose is to ensure that personnel from developing States are provided with appropriate operational expertise to enable them to participate in deep-seabed mining.
Please visit this page to know more about the Contractor Training Programme.
For additional information, please contact:
Ms. Annekah Mason, Training Coordinator, ISA, training@isa.org.jm