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Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson (right), presenting the Minister’s Award of Excellence in Maritime Studies to Triton Jordan of the SJPP. (A.??Miller/BGIS)????

In the near future, it is hoped that maritime studies will be included in the National Development Scholarship programme.

The call was made by Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, who pledged to continue lobbying for its inclusion.

His comments came as he addressed an interactive career showcase at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed as part of the activities held in celebration of World Maritime Week which runs from September 23 to 28.

"The availability of training is crucial for those persons wishing to obtain employment in the maritime sector. My Ministry is committed to working with, and assisting agencies, to ensure that additional training opportunities are made available locally," Mr. Hutson said, adding that he believed it was his duty to revitalise interest in the maritime sector.

"This can only be done by sensitising and engaging young persons like yourself in discussion on the sector, [providing] exposure to the opportunities available in the industry, and ensuring easy access to training in the field," he told students.

Such training, he said, could be accessed overseas at institutions such as the Caribbean Fisheries Training Development Institute’s facility in Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) in Jamaica.

However, he noted that six cadets, sponsored by the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI), were currently enrolled at the CMI pursuing studies in the areas of Seamanship, Navigational Watch and Marine Engineering Services.

Mr. Hutson noted that his Ministry also sought to assist and encourage students pursuing maritime studies at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP), and who wanted to remain in that field with the annual Minister’s Award to reward them for outstanding performance in the area.

This year’s award went to Triton Jordan of the SJPP for his outstanding performance in the certificate in Maritime Operations. "Mr. Jordan excelled in all of his subjects especially those relating to marine seamanship and marine navigation," he said, noting the student was seeking to pursue a career in the maritime sector.

He added that last year’s winner, Kynara Seville, had also continued pursuing a career in the maritime field, and had returned to the SJPP where she successfully completed the Diploma in Marine Diesel Engineering 2012.

"Since January of this year, Ms. Seville has been part of the two-year maritime training programme at the Barbados Port Inc. which is administered by the Barbados Port Inc., and the Caribbean Maritime Institute," Mr. Huston pointed out, noting that she was presently attached to the Marine Services Department.

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Students of the SJPP listen attentively during a presentation by the Barbados Coast Guard. (A. Miller/BGIS)

During today’s interactive career showcase, students heard several presentations and visited booths by some of those who work within the marine industry including the BPI, the Barbados Coast Guard, the Royal Barbados Police Fore’s Marine Unit, CERMES, the National Conservation Commission and the Coastal Zone Management Unit.

julia.rawlins-barbados.gov.bb

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