CMI showcases shipping industry

Careers in the maritime and related industries are challenging, fulfilling, and in demand. That was the central thrust behind the 2012 Maritime Awareness Week Open-House activities hosted at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) from September 24-26. Over the three days, hundreds of students from across Jamaica visited the institute to learn about the maritime industry and participate in numerous entertaining and educational activities.

The activities included viewing self-defense, physical training, and military demonstrations, participating in guided campus tours of the institute, enjoying band performances and giveaways, and touring the Kingston Harbour by ferry.

Students also benefited from numerous exhibits from the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Jamaica National, Jamaica Customs Department, the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and Air Wing, the Ministry of Health - HIV/STI Programme, the South East Regional Health Authority, the National Commercial Bank, the National Environmental Planning Agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Palisadoes Co-operative Credit Union, the Police Narcotics Division, among others.

CMI used the opportunity to sensitise the public about the nuances of life at sea, the rewards and nature of such careers, and the necessary requirements for matriculation into the Institute for training. This is the institute's flagship activity which sees approximately 80 schools participating every year. This provided the unique opportunity to expose students to alternative career options.

The event attracted the support of a number of prominent attendees such as guest speaker at Monday's opening ceremony, Rear Admiral Peter Brady (Ret'd), director general, Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Member of Parliament, Raymond Pryce; pastor of the Bayside New Testament Church, the Rev Dr Wellesley Blair, as well as scores of guidance counsellors and teachers.

The expo highlighted the service of seafarers to the industry, the dynamic nature of the industry, maritime education, safety, transportation, health, women in the seafaring profession among other issues, as well as CMI's role as a centre of excellence providing training for potential industry workers.

CMI is the only institution in the Caribbean that is IMO-approved and certified to train such personnel. The Institute has been conducting this exercise and reaching this audience for over 25 years and has gained support for its initiatives through this medium.

CMI has over 1,000 students currently enrolled with hopes of increasing this to 1,400 in the near future in order to respond to the global need for trained professionals within the maritime, security, shipping, and logistics areas of work. Its programmes are aligned to achieving capacity building within these areas as programme offerings include seven bachelor degrees, two masters degrees, and one seafarer programme.

Sponsors of the event included GraceKennedy Company Limited, Jamaica Flour Mills, Tastee Limited, Acorn Bookstore, Jamaica Energy Partners, Trade Winds Citrus Limited, and OJays Koolers Limited. The institute was able to reach the public though an outside broadcast provided by KOOL 97 FM.