A Brief History
When the Institute of Shipbrokers was founded in 1911, shipbrokers had for generations been the intermediaries for finding ships for cargoes or cargoes for ships or attending ships in port.
However, by 1920 it was realised that attaining real professionalism within the industry required education and discipline. Accordingly, the Institute set standards which were able to satisfy His Majesty's Privy Council and a Royal Charter was awarded, with a supplemental Royal Charter granted in 1984.
Membership
Since the formation of the Institute a major feature of the industry has been its increasing specialisation. To reflect this, membership of the Institute now comprises professionals working in all aspects of the shipping business.
These include chartering, sale and purchase brokers, ship managers, liner agents, port agents, lawyers insurance etc., with the term Chartered Shipbroker remaining the by-word for professional excellence in all aspects of the shipping business.
Membership of the Institute (MICS) is a unique, internationally recognised qualification which is enjoyed by men and women worldwide. There are currently 10 overseas branches in Australia/New Zealand, Benelux, British Columbia, Calcutta, Cyprus, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Chennai, Mumbai, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates as well as 10 branches in the United Kingdom.
Membership of the Institute is achieved by candidates passing the qualifying examinations, gaining a prescribed amount of work experience and satisfying the Institute's Controlling Council of their suitability. Examinations are held annually at centres around the world.
Tutorship
TutorShip was established by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in 1983 to provide correspondence courses in the shipping business, principally for those intending to gain professional qualifications.
Even at that time it was recognised that people involved in a range of activities far wider than that traditionally described as shipbroking were interested in seeking membership of the Institute.
TutorShip currently provides education for individuals working in all aspects of shipping business whether they are new to the industry, seeking membership of the Institute, or simply wishing to enhance their professional expertise in related fields.
Distance Learning
Study by correspondence is an ideal method of learning for those involved in the busy and demanding atmosphere of shipping. The TutorShip courses are written by specialists and structured in such a way that the student may start the course at any time and study at his or her own pace.
On enrolment the student is sent all the material for the course or courses chosen and is allotted a personal tutor for each subject.
Each individual subject is divided into a number of lessons, usually 10 and at the end of every lesson there is an assignment which is sent to the tutor for comment and grading. This ensures direct contact between the student and the tutor which enables individual attention to be given according to the student's needs.
When an assignment has been marked it is returned to the student via the TutorShip office. In this way not only does the student benefit from the tutor's advice but TutorShip are able to monitor overall progress and provide additional assistance where appropriate.
Prep
Each year, just prior to the Institute examinations, TutorShip runs a residential workshop -known as Prep- for students wishing to undertake intensive revision. The workshop usually takes place over a long weekend and consists of lectures, tutorials and seminars in all examination subjects and in examination technique.
When Prep was first started the students who attended were from the UK but over past years more and more overseas students have joined us and this year, at Prep 2000, there were 56 students from 10 countries.
Prep is always a very popular part of the TutorShip calendar. For students attending for the first time, Prep provides an opportunity to meet fellow learners. For returning students, there is a chance to renew old friendships.
It is surely a compliment to the TutorShip tutors that students are keen to return for yet another gruelling weekend of dry cargo, tankers, economics, the law and so on.
Centres worldwide
In addition to the courses administered from the London office, TutorShip has established 8 Distance Learning Centres scattered around the world with 2 more being set up in Australia and New Zealand. These centres provide Shipping Education to students in their own area on behalf of TutorShip; the syllabus being based on TutorShip material but with local tuition.
Going Online
As we enter the 21st century so too is TutorShip playing its part. Online education is about to be offered in Europe; a pilot scheme has been set up in South America enabling students to submit their assignments via electronic mail; and tailored courses are being written for Companies as requested.
It is these ongoing projects which will ensure that TutorShip remains one of the forerunners in Shipping Business Education, not just in the UK but worldwide.
TutorShip
3 St Helen's Place
London EC3A 6EJ
Tel: 020 734 4411
Fax: 020 7628 5445
email:icslon@dial.pipex.com
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