Today (December 12), the MPB announced the second round of candidates selected for the 2025 iteration of the program, with a total of 11 students chosen. More than 100 students have been accepted into the program since its inception. Selected individuals, referred to as “Little Sea Stars,” are expected to become future pillars of Taiwan’s maritime industry.
Among the newly selected candidates is Meng Kuan-yu, a student from the Taipei University of Marine Technology. To alleviate his family’s financial burden, Meng has worked part-time during his university studies to cover his personal expenses. Despite the dual demands of coursework and part-time employment, he has consistently maintained a positive attitude and strives to build a more stable future for himself and his family.
Yang Wen-hsiang, a student from National Taiwan Ocean University, is another selected candidate. He has demonstrated both discipline and enthusiasm through his outstanding academic performance. During his academic progression, he has affirmed his aspiration to pursue a maritime career. He is proactive in learning about the trends in the maritime industry and has established clear academic and professional goals. With the support of the program, he aspires not only to develop professional expertise at sea but also to become a reliable source of support for his family.
To broaden the scope of maritime talent cultivation, the MPB has also continued to advance the Seafarer Star Training Program 2.0. This initiative subsidizes 90% of the training costs for ratings, thereby encouraging the public to enter the maritime industry and promoting the development and operation of domestic shipping routes. In total, 74 participants have successfully completed the rating training courses this year, with 58 of them being successfully matched with shipping companies for employment. This results in a job placement rate of nearly 80%, thereby injecting new talent into the maritime workforce.
In addition, to enhance the promotion of the program and attract public participation in seafaring careers, the MPB has released a promotional video for Seafarer Star Training Program 2.0. The video features Huang Chien-cheng, a trainee who has completed rating training and is about to embark on his first job at sea. He shares the content of his training, his personal learning journey, and his outlook on future career development. Through the sharing of real experiences, the video highlights the program’s significant contribution to enhancing professional skills and guiding career development.
The MPB noted that it will continue to advance the Seafarer Star Training Program, strengthen maritime education, and actively invest in the cultivation of maritime talent, thereby establishing a stable and competitive talent foundation for Taiwan’s maritime industry.
List of Candidates Selected for the 2025 Seafarer Star Training Program (Second Announcement)
Seafarer Star Training Program 2.0 | Rating Segment: [YouTube link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw6Ks8hoFpE)]
Contact person: Section Chief Huang Yi-chao of the Seafarers Administration Division
Contact number: 02-8978-8036
