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George Hutson, Minister of International Business and International Transport, speaking to the media at the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Shipping Association, today at the Hilton Hotel, St. Michael. (G. Brewster/BGIS)

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Young Barbadians are being encouraged to take advantage of the global shortage of mariners, and fill one of the 75,000 positions available worldwide in the maritime sector.

This call was made by Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, at the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Shipping Association, which opened today at the Hilton Barbados.

"There is a tremendous opportunity, and as we develop the training programme, persons will be able to take up jobs not only in Barbados, but across the board.?? International transport, as you appreciate, is not a static type of operation. You are moving from one country to another, so the opportunities are endless," stated Minister Hutson.

The Minister called attention to the work the Barbados Port Inc. and the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) in Jamaica were doing in this regard, where students were selected by the Port and awarded scholarships to study at the CMI.?? He explained that the scholarship opportunity for the students is just a start of what the Ministry of International Business and International transport hopes will draw interest to the Maritime sector. "Shipping globally is experiencing a shortage of experienced mariners. In Barbados, we need to open up the pathways for young people to participate and take advantage of the worldwide shortage in seafarers.

"Barbados already has a significant programme in terms of the development of young people for jobs within the hospitality sector… There are opportunities along that line for persons to work on the cruise ships. But we are not limiting ourselves to just work on cruise ships. There are lots of opportunities on cargo ships as well. And in partnership with the CMI, we expect to see significant movement in that particular direction," he added.

alicia.griffith@barbados.gov.bb

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