Many Filipinos wish to work as a chef, food servers or any job related to catering in a ship because it is perceived as an exciting job that offers one the opportunity to travel, mingle with people of different cultures and receive high salary.

The good news is that seabased workers from the Philippines are in-demand in international shipping companies. This is probably the reason why the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is encouraging Filipinos who wish to work in a ship to check out courses on Ship's Catering Services.

The government agency announced that they they have rolled out new curriculum on Ships' Catering Services NC I, NC II and NC III and it is now available to training providers and technical vocational schools.

The new curriculum aims to develop potential workers skilled in preparing, handling and serving the food and drink requirements of the seafarers, delivering basic housekeeping services, practicing food safety, sanitation and hygiene.

The circular that deployed the new Training Regulations on Ships' Catering Services was signed by Secretary of TESDA, Joel Villanueva and it took effect on July 19, 2013.

The course on Ships' Catering Services would cover the following units: practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, environmental protection and catering and health and safety.

The new Training Regulations on Ships' Catering Services was developed in compliance with the requirements of Regulation 3.2 of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

Villanueva said, "In line with this, all TVET institutions offering programs related to Ships' Cook, Ships' Catering and Ships' Culinary must align their programs to conform to the new Training Regulations.”