Panama's foremost maritime academy.

 

El Instituto de Formacion Maritima Juan Sebastian Elcano trains merchant marine cadets in multiple areas related directly to the maritime job market.  Training is available to those who wish to learn more about maritime engineering and mechanics; cargo logistics; vessel navigation and operation; safety and rescue; and other areas.

 

The Institute is accredited and is one of only two such schools in Panama.  Its students prepare for jobs on the canal and with shipping companies with the intent that they will continue this training on a university level.  The canal offers many professional grade, well-paying jobs to professional merchant marines and those jobs will increase as the canal widening comes to fruition in just a few years and the modern larger vessels and tankers will be able to pass through the canal.

 

Foreign students are accepted into the program but will need to understand Spanish in order to succeed.  The curriculum is in Spanish largely and is more rigorous than ordinary high school.  Cadets learn maritime protocols and discipline (non-corporeal) because these traits save lives on the open seas and better prepare cadets for a professional maritime career.

 

For more information regarding the Instituto de Formacion Maritima Juan Sebastian Elcano, in English, contact calhultquist333@gmail.com.