Maritime Skills
Training Framework
A stackable ladder of maritime skills training programmes targeting Nigeria's core Niger Delta skills gaps — boat building, marine engineering, naval architecture, and welding fabrication.
Bridging Nigeria's
Maritime Skills Gap
This framework structures a stackable ladder of maritime skills training programmes delivered through the FAMT–NDU partnership, targeting the core Niger Delta skills gaps in boat building, boat design, propulsion installation and repair, marine technician work, and workshop equipment operation.
Each course is positioned at the level appropriate to its skill complexity — Certificate, Advanced Certificate, or Professional Diploma — ensuring graduates carry marketable credentials at every tier.
Fast Outcomes
Short trade certificates for visible workforce results
Academic Pathway
Credible route through professional diplomas
Equipment Utilization
Maximize NDU's TETFund-procured workshop equipment
External Credibility
NBTE accreditation, PBDSI co-branding, NIMENA endorsement
Five-Tier Learning Ladder
Every trainee begins at Tier 0 (Foundation). Subsequent tiers are track-specific and stackable — exit with a marketable credential at any tier or continue upward.
Foundation Certificate in Maritime Trades
Common entry gate for all tracks: safety (STCW-aligned), materials handling, hand/power tools, technical drawing literacy, workshop hygiene.
Workshop Equipment Mastery
Operator-level certification on NDU's capital equipment — CNC lathe, hydraulic press brake, shears, woodworking machinery.
Trade & Craft Certificates
Welding & Fabrication (NBTE-accredited), three Boat Building streams (GRP, Metal, Wood-Epoxy), Outboard/Inboard Installation & Repair, and Marine Technician certificates.
Advanced / Foreman Certificates
Production planning, quality control, lofting/fairing, and supervisory modules layered onto any Tier 1 craft certificate.
Professional Diplomas
Naval Architecture & Boat Design, and Marine Systems Technology — both requiring sustained engineering calculation, systems integration, and supervisory judgment.
Complete Course Family
From foundation-level entry through to professional diplomas — every programme is designed for stackable progression.
Foundation
Entry Gate
Foundation Certificate in Maritime Trades
Common entry gate: STCW-aligned safety, materials handling, hand/power tools, technical drawing literacy, workshop hygiene.
Workshop
Metalworking
Metalworking & Fabrication Equipment
CNC lathe, hydraulic press brake, shearing machine, pillar drills, grinders. Operator-level certification.
Workshop
Wood & Plywood
Wood & Plywood Working Machinery
Table saws, band saws, planers, routers. Jig and mould-making for wood-epoxy hull construction.
Welding
NBTE Accredited
Welding & Fabrication
SMAW, MIG/MAG, TIG welding. Fabrication fundamentals, welding safety, inspection, NDT. Marine specialization add-on.
Boat Building
GRP / Fibreglass
GRP / Fibreglass Boat Building
Lamination theory, mould construction, resin systems, gelcoat application, fibreglass reinforcement, finishing & fairing.
Boat Building
Steel / Aluminium
Metal Boat Building — Steel & Aluminium
Hull plating, frame fabrication, aluminium welding practice, fairing, corrosion protection, quality inspection.
Boat Building
Wood-Epoxy
Wood-Epoxy Boat Building
Timber selection, epoxy resin systems, strip-planking, plywood construction, woven roving. Uses live 6m demo vessel build.
Boat Building
Advanced / Foreman
Advanced Certificate / Boatyard Foreman
Production planning, quality control systems, supervisory lofting/fairing, team supervision & workshop management.
Propulsion
Inboard / Outboard
Outboard / Inboard Installation & Repair
Petrol outboard servicing, diesel inboard installation, propulsion alignment, shafting, basic troubleshooting.
Propulsion
Advanced Diagnostics
Advanced Diesel & Common-Rail Diagnostics
Diesel fuel systems, common-rail technology, electronic engine management diagnostics, advanced fault-finding.
Marine Tech
Mechanical Systems
Marine Mechanical Systems
Engine systems, steering & control, pumps, plumbing, and onboard mechanical fittings.
Marine Tech
Electrical Systems
Marine Electrical Systems
Marine wiring standards, battery systems, circuit installation, fault-finding, shore power & charging.
Marine Tech
Nav / Comms
Marine Electronics (Nav/Comms)
GPS, chartplotters, radar installation. VHF, AIS communication. Sensor calibration.
Diploma
Capstone Programme
Professional Diploma — Marine Systems Technology
Full integration: complete boat systems wiring, cross-system troubleshooting, project management for technician-led jobs.
Naval Arch
Design Fundamentals
Boat Design Fundamentals
Drafting and lines plan basics, basic hydrostatics, introduction to CAD for boat design.
Diploma
NIMENA Endorsed
Professional Diploma — Naval Architecture & Boat Design
Advanced stability & hydrostatics, structural design & scantlings, regulatory frameworks, CAD/CAE, capstone design project.
Programme Details
Deep dive into each programme tier with core modules, prerequisites, and certification details.
Welding & Fabrication
The strongest candidate for external and non-maritime enrollment. Nationally accredited vocational qualification.
Core Modules
Boat Building Streams
GRP / Fibreglass
- Lamination theory & lay-up schedules
- Mould construction & preparation
- Resin systems & gelcoat application
- Finishing, fairing & quality inspection
Metal — Steel & Aluminium
- Hull plating & frame fabrication
- Aluminium fabrication & welding
- Fairing & structural alignment
- Corrosion protection & coating systems
Wood-Epoxy
- Timber selection & preparation
- Epoxy resin systems & encapsulation
- Strip-planking / plywood construction
- Live 6m demo vessel build project
Marine Systems Technology
Full integration of mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems for complete boat fit-out and maintenance.
Core Modules
- Complete boat systems wiring & fit-out
- Cross-system troubleshooting (mech + elec + electronics)
- Basic project management for technician-led jobs
Naval Architecture & Boat Design
Sustained engineering calculation, structural design, and regulatory compliance. Strongest candidate for NDU degree articulation.
Core Modules
- Advanced stability & hydrostatics
- Structural design & scantlings
- Regulatory frameworks & classification
- CAD/CAE for naval architecture
- Capstone design project (real FAMT hull)
Learning Pathways
Every course builds on a foundation — here's how programmes connect and stack.
Prerequisite for all Tier 1 and Tier 0.5 courses
Hard prerequisite for A2; recommended for D1
Hard prerequisite for A3; recommended for A1
Feeds into A2 (Metal Boat Building)
Prerequisite for B (Naval Architecture Diploma)
Combine into D (Marine Systems Technology Diploma)
Prerequisite for the corresponding Advanced / Foreman certificate (A–Adv)
Branding & Endorsement
Every credential carries recognized external validation through our partnership ecosystem.
PBDSI Co-branding
All maritime courses carry joint FAMT–PBDSI branding from Practical Boat Design and Seamanship International (Spain), providing international recognition.
NIMENA Endorsement
Professional diploma in Naval Architecture & Boat Design endorsed by the Nigerian Institute of Maritime Engineers and Naval Architects — direct professional-body credibility.
NBTE-TVET Accreditation
Welding & Fabrication certificate structured for approval under NBTE's TVET programme, providing national vocational qualification status.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Join the FAMT–NDU Maritime Skills Training Programme and gain internationally recognized credentials in boat building, marine engineering, naval architecture, and more.