The story in Monday’s paper about a group of youths completing a maritime course sponsored by Holland America Line will hopefully inspire others to make use of similar possibilities. The cruise company wanted to help the destination recover from Hurricane Irma and approached volunteer organisation K1 Britannia.
As the lack of jobs especially for youngsters had been a major concern following the natural disaster and with the marine industry still offering some prospects both locally and abroad, they involved Kidz at Sea, which works to familiarise interested students of, among others, Milton Peters College (MPC) with boating and sailing. The result was three months of intensive training that provided the participants with marketable basic skills and certificates that can help them find work on cruise ships, yachts and merchant vessels, but also at marinas, in the harbour, etc.
Of course, it regards only eight persons, but the example being set is significant. After all, every long-term unemployed school dropout prevented – even if one at a time – ultimately counts in terms of delinquency, etc.
Note that in addition to a trade they also learned teamwork, discipline and responsibility, which are key ingredients for any position. As one so aptly put it, more than just a course, this may be considered a steppingstone to his career.
