Barbadians interested in employment within the maritime industry will soon have the opportunity to see if, and how, they can qualify.

It will come next Friday, September 25, when the Ministry of International Business and International Transport stages a career showcase??at the Barbados Coast Guard, HMBS Pelican, Spring?? Garden, St. Michael, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will form part of the activities to mark Maritime Week, which runs from Sunday, September 20 to Saturday, September 26 under the theme: ???Sailing to Success’.

At 9:30 a.m. Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, will deliver the feature address to officially open the exhibition which will feature over 15 agencies including the Barbados Vocational Training Board, the Barbados National Employment Bureau, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic and the Fisheries Division.

Maritime Week is aimed primarily at stimulating interest in the various employment opportunities within the sector.

According to Deputy Chief Technical Officer with the Ministry of International Business and International Transport, Jacqueline Blackman, over the years there had been "a decline in the number of seafarers" in Barbados.

"There are available opportunities, but sometimes people may not see the link between the maritime industry and these jobs, so what we want to do is to stimulate interest and provide the necessary guidance," she explained.

Ms.Blackman cited maintenance engineers, mechanics, refrigeration technicians, carpenters, plumbers, welders and cosmetologists, as among the various career options, with existing opportunities for waiters and waitresses, deck and engine boys, chefs and cooks, among others.

Noting that training in most of these areas was currently provided locally through the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, as well as other tertiary-level institutions, Ms. Blackman said once qualified, persons could opt to either work on board cruise lines or cargo vessels.

While at the expo, students and adults will have the opportunity to meet with industry personnel, including recruitment officers, to learn more about qualifications and other recruitment requirements.

Students, in particular will also learn more about career excellence, when Life Coach, Dr. Adrian Daisley, speaks on the topic: ???Career Excellence – The Dream’ at 11:30 a.m.

Guided tours of one of the Coast guard vessels will also be organised for interested persons.

Maritime Week seeks to heighten public awareness of the maritime sector and the various benefits to be derived.?? It also aims to stimulate interest in the career opportunities available in the industry and to bring about a further examination of the impact of climate change on the maritime environment and solutions facing the industry in mitigating its effects.

cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb

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