By John Ndegwa / BMA
Hundreds of trainees in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across the Rift Valley are being encouraged to explore opportunities in the maritime and Blue Economy sectors as Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) takes its maritime education and training awareness campaign to the region.
Earlier today, the BMA team, led by Senior Business Development and Marketing Officer Fatma Mzee and Customer Relations Officer Getrude Chao, paid a courtesy call on Nakuru County Government Chief Officer for ICT and e-Government, Leonard Kuriu, at his office.
During the engagement, the BMA team highlighted the importance of creating greater awareness of maritime education and training opportunities among young people, particularly those pursuing technical and vocational skills.
BMA team later visited Nakuru Vocational Training Centre, where the officers were received by the institution’s management before interacting with trainees undertaking various technical and vocational courses.
During the engagement, the trainees were introduced to the diverse career opportunities available in the maritime and Blue Economy sectors.
Getrude Chao encouraged trainees with technical skills to consider extending their qualifications into the maritime industry, where their expertise can be applied in areas such as marine engineering, ship operations, logistics, hospitality and other maritime-related services.
Chao emphasized the growing demand for skilled personnel across different segments of the shipping industry, including cruise ships, cargo vessels and tanker ships.
She noted that acquiring the relevant maritime qualifications and mandatory safety competencies can provide young people with a pathway into the global maritime industry, with Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training forming an important component of seafarer preparation.
The BMA team is engaging young people and communities on the wide range of maritime training courses available at the Academy, as well as career and employment opportunities available at sea and across the wider maritime industry.
The outreach campaign seeks to bridge the information gap on maritime careers and demonstrate how young people with technical and vocational skills can transition into the maritime sector, including opportunities aboard cruise ships, cargo vessels and tankers.
The Rift Valley campaign will continue with engagements at various Vocational Training Centres, County Government and other institutions, providing trainees and communities with an opportunity to learn more about maritime careers and the role of skilled human capital in driving Kenya’s Blue Economy.
