Overview This highly practical resource (Developing Soft Skills in Mariners) for soft skills training facilitators strengthens safety culture, supports seafarer wellbeing and complements IMO model courses 1.39, 1.40 and 6.09. Straightforward language, clear diagrams, engaging ideas and helpful checklists combine to make this handbook essential reading for all facilitators of soft skills training and courses. Soft skills training has become a universal feature of maritime life, whether for young cadets embarking on their career or experienced seafarers needing to brush up on leadership and management skills. The challenge is to ensure that teaching and learning approaches engage participants in a way that positively impacts on their working practices. Carole Davis, Professor Emeritus at Warsash Maritime School, Solent University, presents this practical handbook for facilitators of soft skills training. Key definitions and theory sit alongside replicable resources and activity ideas in this engaging guide to teaching soft skills to seafarers in today’s multi-disciplinary maritime sector. The handbook includes: Soft skills definition and discussion Tips for creating effective learning environments Experiential learning and handling sensitive issues Facilitator assessment and evaluation methods Content Dedication Acknowledgements Foreword Preface List of abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1 What are hard and soft skills? Chapter 2 Creating and maintaining an effective learning environment Chapter 3 Peer learning and action planning Chapter 4 Experiential learning Chapter 5 Assessment Chapter 6 Sensitive issues and reflection Chapter 7 Evaluating your own practice Chapter 8 Stakeholders References Glossary About the author About the Author Professor Carole Davis RGN BA(Hons) MSc PGCE (Education) D Prof (Education) Professor Carole Davis has built up a distinguished and varied career, spanning nursing, higher education and training and consulting for the global maritime sector. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with Social Administration from Warwick University, a master’s degree in Palliative Care from University of London, a PGCE in education from Thames Polytechnic University and a professional doctorate in education from Middlesex University. Carole began her career as a nurse, specialising in cancer and palliative care nursing. From there, she developed a keen interest in supporting students and teaching colleagues. She initially worked as a MacMillan nursing lecturer at Bloomsbury and Islington College of Nursing and Midwifery before spending 21 years in influential educational development leadership roles in a number of academic establishments. These have included London South Bank, Middlesex University, Queen Mary University of London and Solent University. Carole spent two years as Head of Academic Development at Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering at Solent University. She continues to hold a Professor Emeritus role at Warsash Maritime School Solent University. Carole has also received a number of prestigious awards, including Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a National Teaching Fellowship and Senior Fellow at the Staff and Educational Developers Association (SEDA). Intrinsic to Carole’s work is the importance of connecting, collaborating and networking with others in order to create a positive and inclusive working environment. In July 2022, she set up Carole L. Davis Associates to deliver expert advice on education and training, mentoring and end-to-end project support. Clients include Oxford Brookes University, University of East London, The Royal Veterinary College, University of Greenwich, London Metropolitan University and The Seafarers’ Charity. Carole is an external examiner for the University of East London and University of Liverpool, a regular reviewer for Advance HE Fellowships and was Co-Chair of SEDA from 2019 to 2022. In 2023, Carole was proud to see the publication of the Maritime Professional Council’s Kind Leadership Report, for which she was first author and a crucial part of the analysis team. She lives in east London, has three adult children and is proud grandmother to the ‘A’ girls who are Aria, Aila and Amelia. In her spare time, Carole enjoys training at her local gym, outdoor swimming and reading thrillers.
