Bias towards vocational education is damaging to studentspotential.Especially for those whose leaning is towards the experientiallearning category. A noted fact is that academic achievement is notthe only measure of success. High unemployment level amongengineering graduates is not surprising. An organization only needsafew engineers. However they will need avastly greater number oftechnologist and skilled workers to operate. Research done byPerformance Management Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) for the National KeyEconomicArea (NKEA) in 2010 finds that 1.3 million jobs areprojected to be available in the Technical and Vocational field inthe near future.

Students should be able to choose the field of their preference.Forcing a specified field of study to students could be detrimentalto thenation’sprogress. Talents and cline should be catered to. Thepresent job market needs people skilled in the technical andvocational skills. A small number of trained and skilled peoplewilleventuallyhinder economic growth. Too much dependency on foreignlabour will in the long run reduce foreign investor trust in ourability to back their investment. The noted economist- the lateDatuk Saleh Majid had stated that for dismissing the importance ofvocationaleducation we had become too much dependent on foreignlabour.

BPTV has managed tocreatelinks withalumni of vocational schools.From data gathered it can be highlighted that many of our alumni’shad made a name themselves in their chosen field. As entrepreneuror professionals. Others have gone further in the academic field andbecome engineers, technocrats andacademicians. These can onlysuggest that vocational education is a better option. We aspire toconsolidate vocational education through the transformation ofvocational education.

1. Malaysian Board of Technologist (MBOT)

In the 10th Malaysian Plan a proposal to set up Malaysian Board ofTechnologist (MBOT) was proposed. The plan was to be tabled inParliament in the coming Parliamentary session. This is a key steptowards introducing the Technologist Act. The Act willoverseeandserve as guidancefor technical workers. This will in turn madethis field of work recognized as professionals.by the Board ofEngineers Malaysia (BEM).

Vocational Education Transformation.

Vocational Education Transformation. Is an effort to makevocational education another engine of growth and contributingtowards the Malaysian agenda of becoming a high income nationenvisioned in RMK 10.

Transforming Vocational Education is one of the 25 major initiativesin the Malaysian /Education Development Plan 2013-2025 (PPPM). Inorder to address the country`s need for skilled workers. RMK -10sets out to improve access to vocational education at school level.This also tries to address Malaysian workers marketability byenhancing their human capital development which will in turn producecompetent and competitive Malaysian.

The burdenof achieving thetransformation rests on the ability ofvocational education to produce a significant impact.This willfurther the government agenda of achieving a high income nationstatus. The strategic plan will focus a significant attention to

vocational attention at school level by 2013. This will betranslated to a targeted enrolment of 20% by 2020. A target to be onpar with regional vocational standards and that of advanced nations.

Pursuant to this , on 20th December 2010, the 195th Meeting of theEducational Planning Committee had approved the Transformation ofVocational Education byintroducing Basic Vocational Education(Pendidikan Asas Vokasional(PAV)) as well as upgrading VocationalSecondary School (SekolahMenengah Vokasional (SMV)) TO VocationalColleges (Kolej Vocational (KV)).The upgrading programme involves acomprehensive reviewing of existing curriculum; adopting thesemester system; adopting new methods of assessment and appraisal.This will also entails introducing new programmes that address thecountry’s projected needs of skilled workers.

Basic Vocational Education (PAV) is designed for lower secondarylevel (Forms 1 – 3) of regular schools.It will become “taster” foryounger students for vocational education. “While VocationalColleges (KV) is for upper secondary students. This will cater tostudents who had completed Form 3 Assessment (Penilaian Tingkatan 3-PT3). The target is for students who have a cline towards vocationaltraining.KV formulated its own standard curriculum that complementsthe National Philosophy mission to produce highly skilled,knowledgeable and ethical human capital.

KV programmes objectives:

i) Producing KV graduates with diplomas or certificates recognized by the government, national and/or international certification bodies of the respective industries.

ii) Producing graduates who addressed the nation’s need for highly skilled workers. Also who has the aptitude to become successful entrepreneurs?

2. Transformation of Vocational Education: Why is it A Must?

Of late SMV’s main focus is on the academic aspect of education.This doesn’t equip students with the necessary skill for the fieldof work. Students are only taught basic vocational knowledge. Thisin turns doesn’t allow them to attain certification or be accredited

by the relevant industries.This means they cannot be marketed asskilled workers which the industries need desperately.

The percentage of students in vocational education in Malaysia isquite low when compared to regional standards. Singapore (65%),Thailand (50%), Indonesia (55%), Australia (40%). Our percentage isvastly lower than Germany which has (60%) of people in vocationaleducation and Austria (80%).

Our aspiration is to produce skilled people who will become highincome workers. This entails a comprehensive training programme,industry and nationally recognized certification and equippingstudents with sufficient and proficient skills for their field ofwork.

3. KV FRAMEWORK.

The KV framework fundamentals are as follow;

Students

KV at present only accepts students who had completedsecondary 3 and completed the form 3 Assessment examination(Penilaian Tingkatan 3- PT3). Students are selected based on theirinterest and their aptitude towards vocational education. Theyhowever must also meet the minimum academic standards.

Process

Several factors are considered to set up KV, these are;

Curriculum and Assessment/Evaluation Curriculum- Clubs /Associations and National Service

Programme On the Job Training (OJT) on completion of semester 8 School Enterprise(SE) Employability Skills

4. Industrial and Community Links

Industry linages- Getting industry input on students training.We are trying to make industry aware of KV graduates and skills to ensure they are fulfilling industry needs. This willenhance graduate marketability and enable them to be accepted for OJT in specific industries.

Community link- We hope to enable students to have hands-on experience and be made aware of local community and industries.

Outcome

The projected outcome of KV programmes is:

70% graduates accepted in the industry 20% pursue further education or advanced training 10% becomes entrepreneur

The transformation of Vocational Education aims to produce workerswho fulfil industrial standard and needs. In short they areacknowledged as skilled and professional workers. With certificationaccredited/recognized locally and internationally by i.e.; theEnergy commission, CIDB, City & Guilds, TWI and other entities. Themajority of graduates are hoped to fulfil the industry needs forskilled workers. Further qualified and qualified graduates canpursue tertiary education at any Universities within the MalaysianTechnical Universities Network (MTUN) or various other highertraining institutes. Graduates can also embark on entrepreneurship.The transformation is being driven towards producing quality highlyskilled workers, equipped with credible and accepted qualification.

5. EXPANSION OF KV PROGRAMMES

Vocational Colleges offers three main programmes:

a) KV KPM Programme

The core of the Vocational Education Transformation is theupgrading of the Vocational Secondary School (SMV) to VocationalColleges. In 2012 15 KV were set up as a pilot programmes. Thiswas then expanded to 72 in 2013 and further to 80 in 2014. Itmust be noted however the current capacity of these KV’s is only20,000 per year.

There is a growing trend showing interest amongst students to betrained in vocational education. As a precursor KPM has managedto garner cooperation from other Public training Institutes(Institut Latihan Kemahiran Awam-ILKA) and other ministries’ agencies toprovide places for PT3 students. This was done within theNational Blue Ocean Strategy –NBOS (strategi Lautan Biru Negara)framework.

In the “buying seats” scheme KPM has chosen several privatetraining Institution (Institut Latihan Kemahiran Swasta-ILKS) which hasadequate capacity and accredited programme to run its programme.

b) KV programmeat Public Skills Training Institutes (InstitutLatihan Kemahiran Awam)- ILKA

KV programmes at ILKA are run under the collaboration concept. Theconcept is onthe understanding that facilities, equipment andhuman resources at ILKA’s are pooled to be used by both parties.The programmes offered are based on programmes already running ata particular ILKA. The Vocational College Standard Curriculum(Kurikulum Stadaard Kolej Vokasional-KSKV) is developed by KPM officialsand ILKA lecturers. In 2014 these programmes are offered at14Industrial training Institutes (Institut Latihan Perindustrian-ILP) Of theMinistry of Human Resources. This will be a benchmark forcollaboration with other ILKA’s.

c) KV Programme at Private Skills Training Institute (InstitutLatihan Kemahiran Swasta-ILKS)

High impact courses are offered by KV through the “buying seats”programme. ILKS which hadbeen vetted to have the necessaryexpertise and facilities are chosen to run KV programmes. KPMwill bear the training fees for each students enrolled at theILKS.

6. DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES OF VOCATIONAL COLLEGES

Vocational Colleges adopted the semester system. It consistsof 14 weeks of classes with an examination week at the end.Classes are suggested to start at 8.00 a.m. and finishes at5.00 p.m. This is in line with the yearly Vocational CollegeAcademic Calendar.

In Year 1 and 2 the short semester is specifically for theteaching of Employability Skills of Level 1 and 2.Meanwhile inYear 3 and 4 it is for School Enterprise Activities. Oncompletion of Year 4 or semester 8 students undergo three (3)months of OJT.

Two types of breaks are included in this semester system ofVocational College. These are the Semester Break and Mid-semester break.

VOCATIONAL COLLEGE STANDARD CURRICULUM.

There are two stages in the full time Diploma programmes offered byKV/KPM, ILKA and ILKS.

i. Pre- Malaysian Vocational Diploma Programme in whichqualified students areis awarded the Malaysian VocationalCertificate (SVM) at the end of Year 2.

ii. Malaysian Vocational Diploma Programme (DVM)is awarded toqualified students after two years inclusive of three (3)months OJT.

The present curriculum for both the Pre Diploma and Diplomaprogramme uses the Vocational College Standard Curriculum (KSKV).It is tailored to meet the National Occupational Skills Standard(NOSS) as had been formulated by the Department of SkillsDevelopment (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran-JPK) of the Ministry of HumanResources. It also strives to meet International Certificationrequirements.

Pre Diploma Programme

Vocational College Standard Curriculum at this level has academicand vocational components with a ratio of 30:70.

Academic component comprises core modules of the following subjects.

a) Bahasa Malaysia – on par with SPM paperb) Englishc) Mathematicsd) Sciencee) History, andf) Islamic Education/Mora Education

The Vocational Component of the programme is based on the NationalOccupational Skills Standard (NOSS) level1 and2 which had beenoutlined by JPK with industries collaboration.

Employability skills modules- training students with skills andpractices necessary for industries. The skills introduced arecommunication skills, team work, discipline, report writing and workplace socialising. These will be offered to students during theshort semester of Year 1 and Year 2

Diploma Programme

Vocational College Standard Curriculum (KSKV) has academic andvocational components in its framework. It has a ratio of 20:80. Theacademic component consists of 20% of the programme; while theVocationalcomponent comprises the bulk of the programmedwith80% ofit is focused on the skills training.

An integral part of the academic module is soft skill. This is acompulsory module for every student as this will prepare them foradvanced soft skills. The programme also adoptsModules from theNational Service Training Programme. Students are also offered asecond or third language. The languages chosen are important if theydecide to work outside the English speaking circle. At the momentlanguages offered are Chinese and Arabic.

The Vocational Component has been enhanced in the programme.Students will be trained using modules based on NOSS Level 3 and 4

Elements of (On-Job-Training) OJT are a major focus in the Diplomalevel programme. This element allows students to be familiar withthe environment of the world of work. This will put them in goodstead when they start work. It is also compulsory for students toundergo School Enterprise activities. It will prepare them with theskills needed should they chose to become entrepreneurs.

The credit hour calculation for DVMis compliant with the MalaysianQualification Framework (MQF). This means 1 credit hours for DVMtranslates to 40 hours of “notional” learning. MQF stipulated thisto meet its standards. DVM needs 90 credit hours of teaching or 3600hours within the two (2) years and three (3) months.

7. Instructional Methodology

Teaching and learning in KV’s consist of;

Classes Tutorials Projects (Production of goods or Services) Practical/Practice Problem Based Learning (PBL) e-Learning SE Activities

Other instructional method deemed appropriate and relevant will alsobe adopted.

Assessment and Evaluation

Continuous assessment is used to assess Pre-Diploma and Diplomaprogramme. However there is a Final Assessment (PA) for theprogramme. PB consists of:

Quizzes

Tests/practical test (written or oral ) Presentation Projects/Research/Report Portfolio

Learning outcomes which cannot be assessed through examination are evaluated through continuous observation.

8. Certification of Vocational College

The Malaysian Vocational Certificate (Sijil Vokasional Malaysia-SVM) isawarded upon completion of two years of study. Students however mustfulfil the following requirements.

a) A pass in Bahasa Melayu KVb) Achieving a minimum CGPA of 2.0 for academic subjectsc) Competent certified – all Vocational modules

This will allow students to continue with the Diploma programme inthe following semester. Students who do not make the grade will becoached to complete Malaysia Skills Certificate- level 2 or 3 (SijilKemahiran Malaysia Tahap 2 atau 3). The certification will enable them to berecognized as competent and skilled workers and readily accepted bythe relevant industries. This however is a worst case scenario asstudents who attended classes and doesthe entire practicalrequirement will fulfil the above criteria.

The Diploma awarded to students is the Malaysian Vocational Diploma(Diploma Vocational Malaysia-DVM) which also qualifies students to beawarded the Malaysian Skills Certificate level 4 (SKM tahap 4). Theawarding body for the DVM is the Malaysian Examination Council(Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia) KPM. SKM certification is accredited by theMinistry of Human Resources; the certificate is awarded by theirDepartment of skill Development (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran).

APPLYING TO KV

Intake to KV programme is during the January semester. The Septembersemester intake is for ILKA and ILKS which recently are starting tooffer KV programmes. Application ison line at www.moe.gov.my

Advertisement about the programme will be published in majornewspapers after or simultaneously the result of PT3 is announced.

9. Introduction

Apart to the four (4) years DVM programme, KV also offers two (2) years short programme namely the skills and Apprenticeship programme.

The programmes are offered at (Institut Latihan Kemahiran Awam) ILKA, through collaboration with other ministries. A few ILKS are also offering places to students (through buying seats schemes). The exact number will be announced from time to time.

Both programmes are fully funded by KPM, students may however be charged for uniforms and stationery by the ILKA/ILKS.

Applying

Application can be made in January and July. Advertisement will be made in major newspapers and BPTV webpage students can also apply direct to the respective ILKA/ILKS

10. SKILLS CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME

This is a two (2) years full time programme run by KPM selectedILK/ILKS. Through this programme students are able to take MalaysianSkill Certificate up to level two (2) or three (3) and/or otherindustry accredited certification depending on industry.

Target Group of Skills Certificate Programme

The target group of the Skills Certificate Programme are students who had completed the PT3 examination. Students must also be highly interested in skills training and wanted to enter the job market on completion of training.

Skills Certificate Programme Curriculum

Students have two components of training;

a) Academic componentsb) Vocational component

The academic component of the programme uses the Skills streamsubjects (Matapelajaran Aliran Kemahiran-MPAK). Thisconsists of four (4) subjects; Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematicsand Islamic religious education/ Moral education.

The vocational component of the programme fully adapted NOSSstandard curriculum. The programme also awards industry accreditedcertification where relevant.

The ratio for academic and vocational component of theprogramme is 20:80. 20% of the student time is spent on theacademic component and the other 80% of the student time is spentin workshops learning trades for the vocational component.

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

Vocational College Apprenticeship Programme is a programmemodelled after the National Dual National Training System developedby the Department of Skills Development (Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran-JPK). This apprenticeship programme will enable students to obtainMalaysian skills certificates up to level 2 or Level 3, or otherindustry recognized certification for specific trades.

11. Target Group for KPM Apprenticeship programme.

The target group of the Apprenticeship programme are post PT3students with strong interest and inclination towards training. Thetraining will be carried out authentically at a place of work.Students will be placed under supervision of mentor/mentors.

Curriculum for KPM Apprenticeship Programme.

Apprenticeship trainee will be undergoing training and be exposedto three major components:

a) Academic componentsb) Vocational componentsc) Practical training /internship at a workplace.

The academic components of the curriculum adopted thecurriculum of the Skills Oriented Subjects (Matapelajaran AliranKemahiran- MPAK) This comprised of Malay Language/ English/Mathematics/ and Islamic/Moral Education.

The aim of basic vocational trainingis to expose students toreal work environment before they are placed in industries. Studentwill be placed between KV and industry at a ratio of 30:70 . Thisduration however depends between mutual agreement betweenKV andindustry.

The practical components students are trained in industry/workplace are based on the criteria set by National Occupational SkillStandard – NOSS. This will enable the students to be Awarded SijilKemahiran Malaysia- SKM level 2/3 after two (2) years of training.

The industry /workplace chosen must be registered with JabatanPembangunan Kemahiran- JPK. These industries will run the Sistem LatihanDual Nasional –( SLDN) when they fulfil the guidelines set by JPK.

12. Apprenticeship Certification

Apprenticeship students will be awarded Sijil Pelajaran Aliran Kemahiran – SPAKfor their academic component.

The main certification for the apprenticeship programme is Sijil KemahiranMalaysia level 2 or 3 depending on the student’s ability to fulfilNOSS competencies within the two years. The certification willenable students to find work in the relevant industries.

LIST OF VOCATIONAL COLLEGE

In 2014, the Vocational College Program is already underway at 80 KPM Vocational Colleges, 14 Institutes of Industrial Training and 4 Private Education Institutes.

The following table lists out the names of all the Vocational Colleges, including public and private vocational institutes, of theyear 2014.

No. State Code Institute1.

Perak

A90 KV Gerik2. A91 KV Ipoh3. A92 KV Seri Manjung4. A93 KV Seri Iskandar5. A94 KV Slim River6. A95 KV Taiping7. A96 KV Kuala Kangsar8. A97 KV Lebuh Cator9. A98 KV Kerian10. A99 KV Teluk Intan11.

Selangor

B91 KV Sungai Buloh12. B92 KV Shah Alam13. B93 KV Klang14. B94 KV Kajang

No. State Code Institute15. B95 KV Kuala Selangor16. B96 KV Gombak17. B97 KV Sepang18. Bk1 KV Sultan Abdul Samad19.

Pahang

C91 KV Puteri Temerloh20. C92 KV Tengku Ampuan Afzan21. C93 KV Sultan Ahmad Shah22. C94 KV Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah23. C95 KV Muadzam Shah24. C96 KV Temerloh25. C97 KV Kuantan26. C98 KV Chenor27.

Kelantan

D91 KV Kuala Krai28. D92 KV Pengkalan Chepa29. D93 KV Pasir Mas30. D94 KV Tanah Merah31. D95 KV Bachok32.

Johor

J92 KV Batu Pahat33. J93 KV Segamat 34. J94 KV Kota Tinggi35. J95 KV Muar36. J96 KV Kluang37. J97 KV Tanjung Puteri38. J98 KV (Perdg) Johor Bahru39. J99 KV ERT Azizah40.

Kedah

K92 KV Kulim41. K93 KV Langkawi42. K94 KV Alor Setar43. K95 KV Sungai Petani 144. K96 KV Sungai Petani 245.

MelakaM92 KV Melaka Tengah

46. M93 KV Datuk Seri Mohd Zin47. M94 KV Jasin 48. N92 KV Port Dickson49. N93 KV Ampangan

No. State Code Institute

Negeri Sembilan50. N94 KV Kuala Klawang51. N95 KV Juasseh52. N96 KV Dato’ Lela Maharaja53. N97 KV Dato’ Undang Hj. Muhamad

Sharip54.

Pulau Pinang

P92 KV Nibong Tebal55. P93 KV Butterworth56. P94 KV Batu Lanchang57. P95 KV Balik Pulau58. P96 KV Seberang Perai59.

PerlisR91 KV Arau

60. R92 KV Kangar

61.

Sabah

S01 KV Kudat62. S02 KV Keningau63. S04 KV Sandakan64. S05 KV Lahad Datu65. S06 KV Tawau66. S07 KV Likas67. S08 KV Beaufort68. W.P. Labuan S21 KV Labuan69.

Terengganu

T92 KV Kemaman70. T93 KV Besut71. T94 KV Kuala Terengganu72. T95 KV Dungun73.

W.P. Kuala LumpurW92 KV Setapak

74. W93 KV ERT Setapak75.

Sarawak

Y01 KV Kuching76. Y02 KV Matang77. Y03 KV Betong78. Y04 KV Sibu79. Y05 KV Bintulu80. Y06 KV Miri

List of ILKA with KV Program in 2014

(This list will be updated from time to time depending on the outcome of negotiation and cooperation between KPM and other ministries)

No. State Code Institute1. Perak AJ01 ILP Ipoh2. Pahang CJ01 ILP Kuantan3.

JohorJJ01 ILP Pasir Gudang

4. JJ02 ILP Ledang5. Kedah KJ01 ILP Jitra6.

MelakaMJ01 ILP Bukit Katil

7. MJ02 ILP Selandar8. Negeri Sembilan NJ01 ILP Pedas9. Perlis RJ01 ILP Kangar10. Sabah SJ01 ILP Kota Kinabalu11. W.P. Labuan SW01 ILP Labuan12. Terengganu TJ01 ILP Marang13. W.P. Kuala Lumpur WJ01 ILP Kuala Lumpur14. Sarawak YJ01 ILP Kota Samarahan

List of ILKS with KV Program in 2014

(List will be updated from time to time)

No. State Code Institute1.

SelangorBS1 Malaysian Institute of Technology

Academy (MITA)2. BS2 KRU Academy3. Pahang CS1 Malaysian Aviation Training

Academy (MATA)4. Terengganu TS1 Ranaco Marine

LIST OF OFFERED PROGRAMS

The list contains all the courses offered at KPM Vocational College,ILKA and ILKS for 2014.

Courses according to Programs at Vocational College

KPM – 36 Courses

No. Code Program Courses

1.

4101Mechanical Engineering

Technology andManufacturing

1 Automotive Technology4102 2 Refrigeration Technology &

Air-Conditioning4103 3 Machining Industry4104 4 Welding Technology

2.4201 Electrical Engineering

Technology andElectronics

1 Electrical Technology 4202 2 Electronic Technology

3.4301

Civil EngineeringTechnology

1 Construction Technology4302 2 Wood Processing and

Finishing Technology

4.

4401

Business

1 Business Administration 4402 2 Office Secretary4403 3 Banking4404 4 Insurance4405 5 Marketing4406 6 Retail Management4407 7 Accounting

5.4501

Hospitality and Tourism1 Culinary

4502 2 Bakery and Pastry4506 3 Tourism

6.4551 Caregiving and Social

Service1 Fashion and Clothes Making

4552 2 Cosmetology

No. Code Program Courses

4556 3 Early Childhood Education

7.

4601

Agriculture

1 Horticulture Design4602 2 Landscaping4603 3 Agro Mechanization4604 4 Crops Agro Industry4605 5 Ruminant Agro Industry4606 6 Poultry Agro Industry4607 7 Herbs4608 8 Biotechnology4609 9 Aquaculture4611 10 Harvest Processing4612 11 Floriculture

8.

4701

Technology andCommunication

1 Computer System and Networking

4702 2 Creative Multimedia (Animation)

4703 3 Database Management System and Web Application

4704 4 Industrial Graphic Design (Print Media)

Courses for Vocational College Programs at ILKA – 16 Courses

No. Code Program Courses

1.

4131

MechanicalEngineering andManufacturingTechnology

1 CNC Machining Technology4132 2 Manufacturing Technology

(Hardware) Tools Cutters4133 3 Molding Technology

(Hardware)4134 4 Foundry Technology4135 5 Industrial Design Technology4136 6 CADD Mechanical Technology6131 7 Quality Assurance Technology4141 8 Metal Fabrication Technology

No. Code Program Courses

2. 4231 ElectricalEngineering

Technology andElectronics

1 Mechatronic Technology

3.4331

Civil EngineeringTechnology

1 CADD Architecture Technology4332 2 Plastic Technology4333 3 Ceramic Technology

4. 4731 InformationTechnology andCommunication

1 Software Technology (Programming)

4732 2 Computer System Technology5. 4825

Transportation 1 Heavy Commercial Vehicles Technology

6. 5132 PetroleumTransportation

1 CADD Mechanical Technology (Oil and Gas)

Courses according to Program at ILKS Vocational College – 9 Courses

No. Prog Program Courses

1.4105 Mechanical

Engineering andManufacturingTechnology

1 Equipment Manufacturing Metal Stamping Die

4106 2 Equipment Manufacturing Mold

2. 4231ElectricalEngineering

Technology andElectronics

1 Mechatronic Technology

3. 4721Arts and Culture

1 Special Visual Effects4722 2 2D Animation

4. 4801Transportation

1 SBR Aircraft Maintenance (Service Repair and Overhaul)

5. 4921 Marine Engineering 1 Shipping Engineering

No. Prog Program Courses

Technology4922 2 Marine Technology4923 3 Nautical Studies