Meeting discusses challenges facing marine engineers

AMMAN — The Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) is exploring ways to create training and employment opportunities for its members in the marine sector, according to a JEA statement made available to The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

On Monday, JEA Deputy President Fawzi Mesed together with members of the association’s board met with representatives of Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Centre (AMETC), which is affiliated with Balqa Applied University (BAU), aiming at creating training and job opportunities for mechanical and electrical engineers, the statement said. 

“Marine engineering is a riveting field that is concealed”, Mesed told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Mechanical and electrical engineering are the two disciplines that are mostly involved in the maritime sector, he added.  

Marine engineers usually work on the maintenance of engines, machinery and equipment on different kinds of vessels, he said, adding that interns engage in a six-month-long experience which is paid, then they undergo four levels, to become “outstanding marine engineers”.   

Mesed said that the meeting was held to address the increase in the number of engineers in the Kingdom and the lack of employment opportunities, due to the deteriorating economic situation and the overall status and conditions, which led to higher rates of unemployment.

“Finding training and job opportunities for engineers is among the association’s priorities,” he said, adding that there would be about 174,000 jobs needed in marine engineering by 2025 across the world.

The meeting also discussed mechanisms to enhance Jordan’s role in bringing more engineering expertise into the marine sector, in addition to addressing various opportunities and challenges in the sector, the JEA statement said.