The Development of Generic Training Material for Portworkers in the Dry Bulk Sector: Terminal Structures and Employment Arrangements

Abstract

Since the late 1980s the ILO has supported the implementation of effective portworker training through the provision of generic training materials under its Portworker Development Programme (PDP). The programme is to be extended to include the major dry bulk trades, initially focusing on iron ore, coal and phosphate rock. In 2010 a study was conducted to gain an understanding of the organisational structure and employment practices at dry bulk terminals and assess the current provision of training programmes and the potential demand for such training materials.Despite the challenging and hazardous nature of working onboard ships and within stockyards the study found that the majority of portworkers receive little or no training to work in the operating conditions they encounter. With some 250,000 portworkers engaged worldwide in handling these three cargo types and a further 121,000 new entrants anticipated to join the sector over the next ten years it is shown that there is an urgent need for the provision of high quality training materials designed for the specific needs of these workers.