Electro Technical Officer (ETO) Course – An alluring prospect for Merchant Navy aspirants

The moment you see water; your heart is filled with an abiding spirit of adventure. How about having a promising career while fulfilling your wish to conquer the sea? Maritime careers serve as the best of both worlds where seafarers are given an opportunity to travel around the globe, become independent at a young age, and be rewarded with hefty remunerations.

As a matter of fact, merchant navy is a much sought-after, lucrative and glamorous career, conjuring up the images of highly paid, disciplined, and smart youngsters, traversing the seven seas, aboard their vessel transporting cargo worldwide.

Significance of maritime education

According to estimates, the number of active Indian seafarers, employed aboard Indian or foreign flagged ships, has grown by about 45 percent in recent years. The Indian government is planning to hire around 3.5 lakh seafarers in the next three to five years, a move aimed at promoting shipping industry jobs as an attractive career option.

In the distressing times unleashed by the outbreak of COVID-19, people working on ships are the unsung heroes ensuring the availability of a wide variety of merchandise. In fact, they handle 90% of the global trade of commercial goods. In this context, the significance of maritime education and the need of constant upgradation of seafaring skills has acquired crucial urgency.

Merchant navy job profiles range from technical to non-technical ones such as deck officers, marine engineers, chefs or engine crew. In fact, choosing the right course out of several choices offered at maritime institutes can be a daunting task.

IMI leads the way

The International Maritime Institute (IMI), Greater Noida, is one of the premier maritime education institutes in the country. Established in 1991, IMI has been awarded the A1 ‘Outstanding’ grading by the Indian Registrar of Shipping. The A1 Grading is the highest certification being granted to maritime training institutes in the country as per the stringent norms laid out by the DG Shipping.

IMI boasts of excellent infrastructure which includes a ‘Ship in Campus’, an engineering marvel; extensive workshop setup with recent additions of state-of-the-art electronics, instrumentation and control; engineering laboratory to cater to training for modern ships, and outstanding grading by rating agencies as its courses are approved by the Director General of Shipping, Indian Maritime University and AICTE.

ETO course – your gateway to the shipping world

Among the most popular courses offered by IMI, the Electro Technical Officer (ETO) Programme offers rewarding career prospects as it gives the candidates an exposure to the most advanced and sophisticated shipboard equipment and tools. It ensures that the students imbibe marketable and relevant skills needed for the marine industry. IMI’s tie-ups with the shipping companies gives ETO students an opportunity to showcase their skills with ease and confidence.

ETO is a four-month course that familiarizes the learners with ship board systems, equipment and machineries involved in the operation of the vessels. The relevant electrical/electronic equipment, control and automation systems are dealt with in detail to enable the candidate to develop decision-making skills for troubleshooting, and rectification of flaws.

IMI conducts the ETO course through well-trained and experienced faculty members who are constantly upgrading themselves in order to provide quality education. In the current challenging times, IMI is following all safety precautions, SOPs and protocols with a mix of online classes for theory and physical training for practical.

Extensive career prospects

Being well recognized in the maritime industry for the last 30 years, IMI has constant queries from reputed shipping companies for trainees who have successfully completed the ETO course. Cadets get the opportunity to work with prestigious companies like Maersk, MSC, Fleet Management, PIL, Dockendale Ship Management, V R Maritime, Darya Shipping, V.Ships and many more.

The pay scales are very attractive and the salaries are tax-free in most countries. This is in addition to free boarding and lodging onboard ships. Shipping companies also provide air passages from and to an International airport, hotel/guest house accommodation and expenses for joining and leaving a ship. Other benefits include extended vacations; opportunity to interact with people of different cultures from various countries; fast career growth and job security with choice of the working period.

Apply online

The course is open for candidates who have done three years Diploma or four years Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication / Communication Engineering, or Electronics and Instrumentation, or equivalent.

For more details visit www.imi.edu.in and register online to secure your future and have a great career in the shipping industry!