Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has stepped up its youth mobilisation campaign in Bamburi Ward, Mombasa County, with the second day of the outreach reaching young people across Kiembeni, Loma, Palestine, Kidarajani, Bombo, Barawa and Msfufini villages.
The initiative forms part of the Academy’s ongoing efforts to create awareness of maritime education and inspire more young people to pursue careers in the rapidly growing Blue Economy by enrolling in industry-driven training programmes.
Speaking during the campaign, BMA Admissions and Administration Officer Sandra Msanzu urged young people not to view their KCSE grades or level of education as barriers to success, noting that practical maritime skills are increasingly becoming the gateway to employment in both local and international labour markets.
“The days when success was determined solely by academic grades are behind us. Today, employers are looking for practical skills. Maritime short courses such as Lifeguard Training provide young people with the competencies needed to secure rewarding careers in the Blue Economy,” she said.
Msanzu encouraged the youth to embrace skills-based training, saying the maritime industry offers a wide range of employment opportunities, particularly in the cruise ship sector, where qualified personnel are in high demand.
She further noted that Bandari Maritime Academy continues to equip aspiring seafarers with internationally recognised qualifications through its Basic Safety Training course (STCW) , a mandatory certification for those seeking employment at sea.
“Bandari Maritime Academy has opened its doors to young people from across the country who aspire to work at sea. Our Basic Safety Training course (STCW) is delivered by highly qualified instructors using modern training facilities, ensuring our graduates are well prepared to compete for opportunities aboard cruise ships and other vessels worldwide,” she said.
The outreach campaign reflects Bandari Maritime Academy’s commitment to supporting the Government’s Blue Economy agenda by empowering young people with market-driven maritime skills, expanding access to quality maritime education, and building a globally competitive workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of the maritime industry.
