Partnership brings HVAC training to technicians at sea

Mercy Ships is an international nonprofit organization that operates two ‘floating hospitals,‘ bringing on doctors to perform free surgeries while docked near some of the poorest communities in the world, primarily in Africa.

What’s happening: Mercy Ships has partnered with trades-focused training company SkillCat to equip its on-board HVAC technicians, plumbers, and electricians with over 200 courses and certifications.

• The organization recruits HVAC techs and engineers, who volunteer to work on board and maintain the ships’ air conditioning systems. 
• “There’s no outsourcing at sea,” Mercy Ships said in a statement. “If the power goes out, if the AC fails in an operating room, or if plumbing stops working, surgeries stop.”

Why it matters: Along with keeping the ships running, technicians can advance their careers while at sea. 

• “I can log in and out at my convenience without losing progress, making it ideal for busy schedules,” Amogo Tendeng, a plumber from Senegal, said of SkillCat. “The content is clear, practical, and empowering.”
• Other volunteers have gained specialized training in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical basics while on board, including multimeter use, trade math, and piping, Mercy Ships added.

What they’re saying: “Without our technical crew, life-changing surgeries would simply not be possible,” said Miranda Strawbridge, Corporate Maritime Partnership Lead at Mercy Ships.

• “This is workforce development with a purpose,” added SkillCat founder and CEO Ruchir Shah. “By training tradespeople onboard, we’re ensuring surgeries continue today — and volunteers leave with career-advancing certifications for tomorrow.”