Posted: October 11, 2023
Shane O’Neill, a decorated Muay Thai fighter and dedicated coach, has not only achieved remarkable success in his fighting career, including winning the European title, but has also become a passionate advocate for personal development and mental well-being. In his pursuit of excellence, he found that mindfulness and meditation were invaluable tools for enhancing one’s resilience and leadership capabilities. Shane now shares these insights with others, teaching courses such as Leadership Management and Continuous Professional Development (LMCPD) for GAC Training & Service Solutions (GTSS), at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI). In this blog post we delve into Shane’s teachings and philosophy, exploring how mindfulness and physical well-being can transform not only fighters but also leaders in the maritime industry.
The Power of Meditation
Shane O’Neill incorporates mindfulness or meditation into his training courses to help individuals achieve a more balanced state of mind. He emphasises that this practice is not exclusive to fighters or athletes but is relevant to anyone seeking to navigate high-pressure situations or leadership roles effectively. Shane explains, “You want to be able to, in a crisis, or in moments where everyone’s feeling pressure, be the one that can come from a more balanced place and see things calmly.”
Starting the Week with Mindfulness
Shane’s approach is to begin training courses, such as our LMCPD course, with mindfullness techniques. He believes this practice is particularly crucial at the start of the week when trainees might carry the baggage of their journeys, personal concerns, or anxieties. By encouraging individuals to leave these external pressures at the door and focus on bringing their best selves to the classroom, Shane sets the tone for a productive and balanced week. “ It’s been 15 years of continuous practice of this, and it feels great. It gets better the more you do it.”
Growing Awareness of Mental Well-being
Over the last 15 years, Shane has witnessed a significant shift in people’s receptivity to mental well-being techniques. He notes that mental health awareness is increasing and that people now appreciate the importance of being more aware of their thought behaviours and habits. Shane challenges the notion of “toughness” by stating, “There’s no such thing as tough. There is trained and there is untrained, and there is aware and unaware.”
Universal Principles of Leadership
Shane collaborates with a diverse range of individuals, from athletes and fighters to professionals in the corporate world. Regardless of the environment, he emphasises that the principles of leadership are remarkably similar. Effective leadership, he argues, is about understanding when to push and pull, being a positive influence, and presenting oneself authentically. Leaders must uphold personal standards and exhibit a healthy and content lifestyle, which includes focusing on physical well-being, even with just a few minutes of daily exercise. He says, “You don’t need a gym, just some floor space.”
The Importance of Physical Well-being
Incorporating physical activity into his courses, Shane highlights the importance of maintaining physical well-being as a leader. He demonstrates that even a short exercise routine can boost energy levels. Leaders need to enter any room or situation with alertness and awareness, and physical well-being plays a pivotal role in achieving this.
Continuous Learning and Open-Mindedness
Shane, despite his impressive fighting career and coaching experience, remains open to learning from others. He cherishes the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, as he believes it broadens his perspective and challenges his own opinions.
Teaching Well-being to the Next Generation
As a father to a three-year-old, Shane has extended his teachings to his own little girl, applying techniques like affirmations and positivity before bedtime. He recognises the value of instilling well-being practices in young minds.
Boxing as a Teaching Tool
Shane incorporates boxing into his classes to promote teamwork, communication, and physical presence. He emphasises the significance of leaders maintaining a positive physical presence, as this can have a profound impact on the entire team.
Shane’s journey from a Muay Thai champion to a leadership development trainer is a testament to the transformative power of mindfulness and physical well-being. His teachings resonate across various domains, emphasising that resilience, mindfulness, and maintaining physical health are not limited to any one profession. Shane’s insights have the potential to shape leaders in diverse fields, inspiring them to become their best selves and lead with authenticity, calmness and strength.
Shane is pictured with Seapeak officers on a recent Leadership Management & Continous Professional Development course at the NMCI.
Interview by Joy Gillen
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Posted: October 22, 2021
GAC Ireland are currently recruiting for full time, part time and casual Terminal Operators, Shipping Supervisors (Loading Master) and Jetty Operators in Dublin.
Equivalent experience would be preferred but is not essential as trainee positions are as also available for the right candidates.
A brief summary of the requirements for the roles are as follows :-
Terminal Operator
- Tank Dipping
- Completing daily checks
- Responsible for safe loading of road tanker loading
- Monitoring shore tank levels
- Daily Samples
- Taking allocations
- VRU Operation
- Assisting drivers with any loading
Shipping Supervisor (Loading Master)
- Ship / Shore Checklist
- Sample taking & associated testing
- Tank Dipping
- Agreeing order of discharge
- Responsible for the safe discharge of cargo
- Monitoring shore tank ullage levels
- Blending operations
Jetty Operators
- Ensuring vessels are moored correctly and in alignment with shore loading arms and connections
- Ensuring vessels provide safe access via correctly rigged gangways and continuously monitor this is maintained throughout operations
- Connection and disconnection of loading arms and spool pieces
- Monitoring for leaks and adjusting connections as required
- Performing line walks to monitor for leaks
- Ship sampling
The ideal candidates will have:
- Strong communication skills
- Good understanding and appreciation of a proactive safety culture
- Marine or Terminal experience desired but not necessary as all full training will be provided
- Full clean driving licence
- Manual handling certificate (desired but not essential)
- First Aid certificate (desired but not essential)
If you are interested, please email hr.uk@gac.com with a copy of your CV and your availability. Please ensure you quote “GAC Dublin” in your email.
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Posted: February 20, 2020
Our history
GAC Training & Service Solutions Limited (GTSS) was launched in February 2010, aiming to provide cost saving and innovative training solutions for the LNG industry and other maritime sectors. GTSS combines GAC’s global reach, over sixty years of maritime expertise and powerful branding with the National Maritime College of Ireland’s (NMCI) skilled lecturers and instructors.
GAC’s business philosophy is about people, and long-term relationships with them. GAC value all people, whether they are a customer, a potential client, a partner, a supplier or one of their 9,000 employees in fifty countries around the globe.
Together, both companies recognise that optimally trained staff can crucially reduce physical, environmental and financial risks. GTSS offers a comprehensive range of courses and services, catering to the growing needs of the maritime industry. Visit https://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/gtss to see a full list of courses.
A new era in bespoke training
2014 was the beginning of a new exciting era for GTSS when the company was awarded, what was then a four-year, training contract with an oil major. This was the single largest maritime training contract in the history of the Irish state and training continues to this day.
Our client made the decision to focus on the value added training of its ship’s officers to further increase efficiencies and most importantly safety throughout its fleet and met with several colleges
around the world for this purpose. At the end of the process the client choose GTSS as its preferred training partner due in part to the college’s modern physical facilities, favourable location and in part to the NMCI’s unique commercial experience, ethos and structures.
GAC played an important part in the decision process as they already had a long established global contract with the client for shipping services.
At the time of the signing of the contract Minister Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation was quoted as saying;
“Here is an Irish organisation, winning deals with a major US company, increasing its export sales and ultimately creating jobs in Ireland. I wish both parties every success with this project”.
Customer focus
We recognise that our clients’ needs are not all the same and therefore our bespoke training reflects this. Our team have travelled to meet with clients from all industry areas, ranging from cruise
companies, and oil majors to superyachts management companies to discuss exactly what their training requirements are and where their preferred training locations are based.
Specialist training by experienced maritime professionals is fundamental to realising profitable efficiencies and minimising environmental and financial risks, both onshore and shipside. GTSS continues to provide innovative and cost saving training solutions to the maritime industry.
GTSS course developers and lecturers have unrivalled knowledge in military training, oil and gas, logistics, chartering, trading, ship operating, shipbroking and navigation. We have invested in building a focused team of highly qualified maritime and operational professionals to ensure the clients we collaborate with receive specialised training of the highest standards.
The future
It has been an exciting ten years for GTSS. We will continue to provide niche, high value and technologically advanced training courses, while empowering professionals, in the Maritime, Transport & Commodity Sectors for many years to come.
James O’Byrne, Managing Director of GTSS said,“10 years of GTSS in business is a proud moment for us. Not only does it signal 10 years of continuous success and loyalty, more importantly, it signals 10 years of providing vital training to the maritime industry. Thousands of seafarers have attended our courses and we have influenced their decisions and cultures onboard. We like to think that the industry is a safer place for our training. This is what makes us proud. We shall continue to grow and share our message across all sectors of our industry and make the world a safer and kinder place.”
For more information on GTSS courses please visit https://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/gtss
For more information on GAC please visit https://www.gac.com/
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Posted: August 13, 2018
We are expanding!
Position: Simulation Instructor, Full time.
Reporting to: General Manager, GAC Training & Service Solutions.
Location: NMCI, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
GAC Training & Service Solutions Ltd. (GTSS)
GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services. Emphasising world-class performance, a long-term approach, innovation, ethics and a strong human touch, GAC delivers a flexible and value-adding portfolio to help customers achieve their strategic goals. Established since 1956, GAC employs over 9,000 people in more than 300 offices worldwide.
GAC Training & Service Solutions Limited (GTSS) was launched on 11 February 2010, aiming to provide cost saving and innovative training solutions for the shipping industry. This unique partnership between GAC and The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) focuses on delivering a complete portfolio of training courses for both seafarers and shore-based shipping and commodity operations personnel. GTSS combines GAC’s global reach, over sixty years of maritime expertise and powerful branding with the NMCI’s superb facilities and a dedicated faculty.
National Maritime College of Ireland
Opened in October 2004, the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI, the College) is a purpose built constituent college of the Cork Institute of Technology, established in a partnership with the Irish Naval Service (INS) and Focus Education Ltd. Located on a ten acre site in Ringaskiddy with direct access to the harbour, the college houses state of the art facilities and equipment including two full mission simulators, jetty, fire fighting and survival training facilities, library, IT and other laboratories. The NMCI caters for the education and training needs of the merchant navy and the non-military training requirements of the Naval Service and provides a broad range of training services for the maritime industry.
Description of the Position
The Simulation Instructor will be a member of the GTSS staff and will carry the responsibility for ensuring that Commercial Simulation is run in a cost effective, efficient and commercially successful manner utilising existing and future resources.
Principal Tasks
- Planning and publishing of commercial simulation course schedule.
- Instruct courses such as STS, RAS, ECDIS and Pilot Training in the NMCI’s bridge simulators and provide necessary delegate feedback to clients afterwards.
- Creation and maintenance of procedures for commercial simulation in line with international best practice and norms.
- Oversee submission of, and ensure currency of, course proposals to relevant authorities.
- Develop and review, in participation with simulation team members as appropriate, commercial simulation courses in line with international best practice and norms.
- Contact prospective clients and discuss course requirements.
- Meet and negotiate with prospective clients for commercial simulation in consultation with management.
- Cost, prepare, and submit tenders to prospective clients in consultation with management.
- Identify, and allocate attendance at, suitable conferences and/or seminars
- Prepare an annual review and plan of commercial simulation activities.
- Manage and review requirements for area databases and hydrodynamic models for commercial simulation.
- Identify, when necessary, expenditure on simulation facilities to enhance commercial course delivery.
- Liaise with Kongsberg for solutions to simulator development.
- Investigate possibilities for developing in house resources and capabilities for commercial simulation.
- Adhere to strict data protection and confidentiality laws.
Requirements
Essential:
Seagoing background (Merchant) with prior command experience essential.
Relevant qualifications for above
Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills.
Desirable:
Teaching / instruction experience in the maritime simulation sector.
Above average IT skills.
A full clean driving license.
Reporting Structure
Reporting directly to the General Manager of GAC Training & Service Solutions.
References Required
Salary D.O.E.
Email CV and Cover Letter to joy.gillen@gac.com
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Posted: May 5, 2017
Voting for the 10th Annual Getenergy Awards is now open and GAC Training & Service Solutions (GTSS) and SEFtec NMCI Offshore are up for two of the accolades. You have until 12:30pm on Monday May 8th to cast your vote online at http://global.getenergyevent.com/nominations/
GAC Training & Service Solutions have been shortlisted for Education Partnership 2017 and SEFtec NMCI Offshore have been shorted for Education and Training Provider of the Year.
Every vote counts so please support us and cast your vote today!
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