by Nicholas Lee
Finding inspiration in others
When his `O’ Level results didn’t allow him to enrol into Nautical Studies in the Singapore Maritime Academy, his dreams of starting a career in the seafaring industry were dashed.
After listening to a talk and reading a book about the seafaring industry in secondary school, Cadet Muhammad Amir Mohammad (pictured, left) was inspired to venture into a sea-faring career. Though his brother-in-law and some friends who were seamen told him that the life out at sea is tough and difficult, his determination never wavered. “I know that something deep inside me likes it and I just wanted to go out to sea,” said Amir.
After completing his National Service, Amir chanced upon the TNTA initiative and saw it as a second chance at jumping on board a seafaring career. However, Amir was short of funds to sign up for the programme.
Finally, Amir had to sacrifice his prized DSLR Camera. “I felt such a loss, because I brought it out with me wherever I went,” he lamented. “The camera bag that I bought for the camera is now sitting at home empty...but it has given me the impetus to work hard for the programme,” he said.
Fortunately, he did well in the A.P Moller Maersk Logical Index Test which was one of the entry requirements to be employed by A.P Moller Maersk. He was subsequently offered a position by the company.
Family tradition spurred him on
Hailing from a family of seafarers, Cadet Muhammad Azhar Kamarudin (pictured, right) has been inspired by his father and brother, who both work on ships, to take on a career on board a ship. Unfortunately, Azhar could not meet the entry requirements for Singapore Polytechnic’s Maritime Academy. “I felt that it was not my chance at that time,” shared Azhar.
Five years ago, Azhar’s father encouraged Azhar to take on a job on board a vessel. However, Azhar who was still in the fitness line felt that he was not ready and wanted to continue in his fitness job.
After he completed his Higher NITEC in ITE, Azhar chanced upon the TNTA programme and told himself that he must enrol and complete the programme to accomplish his desire to be a seaman. He shared that his aim was to keep up the family tradition and become a Chief Officer like his father in seven years.
“I had a conversation with my father and brother once, and my father’s dream was that all of us could be on a ship where I could be the Chief Officer and my father and brother would be the Chief Engineer,” shared Azhar. “So my brother and I said that we will push ourselves and allow the dream to come true and keep our family tradition alive.”
