BY John Ndegwa / BMA
Bandari Maritime Academy has reaffirmed its role as a national leader in skills development after graduating 24th, 25th and 26th cohorts of forklift operators trained under the accreditation of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Speaking during the ceremony, Bandari Maritime Academy CEO Dr. Eric Katana described the graduation as a milestone for the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) model, which emphasizes safety, precision and efficiency.
“For forklift operators, these qualities are not just desirable, they are essential in preventing workplace accidents and driving operational excellence,” Dr. Katana noted.
Chief Eng. Titus Kilonzi, Deputy Director of Maritime Education and Training, underscored the Academy’s commitment to aligning technical skills with industry needs. He urged the graduates to uphold professional ethics and continuously improve their competencies, noting that the Academy’s training is structured to meet both local and international standards.
Enock Okwemwa, Deputy Director of Maritime Transport and Port Operations Training, highlighted the critical role forklift operators play in port logistics and supply chain efficiency. He reminded graduates that their skills directly impact trade facilitation, especially in Kenya’s busy port city of Mombasa, which serves as a gateway to East and Central Africa.
Dr. Irene Mugo, the Academy Registrar, commended the graduates for their discipline and resilience throughout the training. She encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning and professionalism, emphasizing that certification from Bandari Maritime Academy enhances their competitiveness in the job market both within Kenya and abroad.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Katana reminded the graduates that the job market is increasingly competency-driven, with forklift operators remaining highly employable in shipping, manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics industries across the globe.
The Academy, recognized as one of the country’s premier training institutions for forklift operation, continues to churn out hundreds of professionals who are ready to meet the growing demand in the transport, logistics and industrial sectors.
