Portworker Development Programme - Sectoral Activities

-Background
-Objectives
-PDP Philosophy

The PDP Philosophy

The training materials were developed:

as an open-ended series of self-contained but inter- related "Units' of instruction", and
for classroom-based, instructor-led but highly interactive teaching of small groups of learners (between 8 and 12 at a time).

Classroom sessions are fully supported by both indoor and outdoor practical exercises and include suggestions for organized visits to operational and other port facilities.

It was not intended that the Units should comprise a "course" in the conventional sense but that instructors should select and combine groups of individual units (and possibly sections of units) to form appropriate training schemes for groups of employees (or indeed, individuals) as their needs and those of their employers dictate.

Unit materials are based on best international practice; this is ensured by the employment of acknowledged subject matter experts to assist in developing materials, and matching these with the ILO's standards and guidelines on the health, safety and welfare of portworkers. The intention of the Programme is to provide not just a series of "how to do it" checklists but simple explanations and descriptions of the reasons for processes, procedures and practices - the "why do it". Further, the aim is to create the right motivation to adopt best practices through understanding, leading to benefits in organisational efficiency and personal safety.

A full list of the Unit titles can be found at the end of this page. In keeping pace with the requirements of changing technology within the industry, Units are revised to suit and reflect advances in practices. Development of Units to cover other aspects of the work carried out by portworkers is planned

Updated by MMTT. Approved by MM/ET. Last update: 09 July 2008.