By John Ndegwa / BMA
Young skilled professionals in Laikipia County are increasingly looking to maritime education and training as a gateway to employment opportunities in shipping, port operations and the growing Blue Economy, following an outreach initiative by Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA).
The growing interest emerged during an engagement between BMA officials and Laikipia East Vocational Training Centre, aimed at raising awareness of maritime careers and equipping young skilled professionals with information on opportunities available across the maritime industry.
BMA delegation, led by Senior Business Development and Marketing Officer Fatma Mzee, paid a courtesy call to Laikipia East Vocational Training Centre Principal, Naftali Muriuki, where discussions centred on expanding access to maritime education and training information among vocational trainees and other young people in the County.
The engagement highlighted the need to bridge the information gap surrounding maritime careers and encourage vocational trainees to explore opportunities beyond conventional career pathways.
The maritime industry offers diverse career prospects in areas such as shipping, port operations, marine engineering, nautical science, maritime transport and logistics, as well as other technical and support services that contribute to the growth of the Blue Economy.
The discussions also explored opportunities for strengthening collaboration between vocational training institutions and Bandari Maritime Academy to enhance career awareness, promote maritime courses and help young people make informed decisions about their professional development.
Muriuki emphasised the importance of exposing trainees to diverse career pathways and equipping them with industry-relevant skills that can enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
