PROGRESS REPORT ON PILOT ELECTRONIC COMMERCE TRAINING IN MARITIME TRANSPORT

Background

At its 15th meeting in April 1999 the TPT-WG endorsed the Australian proposal Pilot Electronic Commerce Training in Maritime Transport, subject to final funding approval by the BMC. The final approval for funding of US$ 49,150 was given in July 1999.

This project will deliver an Internet-based training program of approximately three month duration. The pilot course will involve the construction of a web site that will serve as a virtual classroom. The course will encourage team work between the participants and involve the solution of real-life electronic commerce problems.

At the TPT-WG meeting in Hong Kong New Zealand confirmed participation in the project and has nominated a local coordinator for the project. A number of other economies have expressed an interest to learn more about the project.

All APEC economies are invited to participate. At this stage we are looking for expressions of interest by economies. The project involves no travel costs for the participants. They can learn according to their own pace and schedule without having to spend extended periods of time away from their workplace. The only requirement for participation in the course is the possession of the necessary hardware (ie. PC or Macintosh computer) with Internet access and standard browser software (ie. Netscape or Internet Explorer). Therefore we hope that a large number of economies will be able to participate.

The selection of a consultant with the necessary expertise to deliver the project will begin shortly after TPT-WG 17. Economies would than be expected to nominate local coordinators, following the successful model of Phase 1 of the program to assist the implementation of electronic commerce for commercial messages (TPT 01/99T). The local coordinators can be government officials or members of interested private sector organisations. After participants have been identified the contractor will assess the priority electronic commerce training needs of the concerned economies and tailor the course accordingly.

In addition to addressing the most urgent electronic commerce training needs of interested economies the course would also trial the effectiveness of remote training using innovative techniques. If the course is successful the principle could be applied to training in other aspects of the transport sector.

Proposed Timetable

Mar 2000 Invitation for expressions of interest to economies at TPT-WG 17.

Apr 2000: Identification of expertise, contractor identification and other arrangements; nomination of local coordinators and participating businesses.

Jun 2000: Contractor selection.

Jul/Aug: Initial research and analysis with report and recommendations.

Sep-Dec 2000: Approval of follow-on activities and completion of the twelve-week course and web site.

Jan/Mar 2001: Conduct course, finalise report and recommendations.

Current Situation

Funding for the project from the TILF special account for 2000 is expected to become available in May or June 2000. The selection of the consultant will start before May so that work on the project can start as soon as funding is available.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the above progress report be noted and that economies advise Australia if they are interested to participate in the project.

This page was last updated on 16 March 2000