Youths and graduates from various fields are being encouraged to pursue careers in the maritime sector, which is emerging as the new frontier with vast and lucrative job opportunities under the Blue Economy.
To attract more youth into maritime-related courses, Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) CEO Dr. Eric Katana, revealed that the Institution is in the advanced stages of introducing a study-work programme.
This initiative will enable trainees from underprivileged backgrounds to work at the Academy, while the Institution pays their tuition fees.
Dr. Katana noted that BMA trainees currently do not benefit from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding, as the Academy is not under the mainstream Ministry of Education.
“Through this initiative, we aim to support students from humble backgrounds to access educational funding. We are also enhancing partnerships with Members of Parliament to secure bursaries for students through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF),” he said.
He added that the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has established a revolving fund, and is expecting allocations to be sent to the Academy to support students.
To address the sea-time training gap, the Academy is engaging with countries that have flagged vessels, enabling students to gain the required sea-time experience.
“My advice to both current and prospective students is that the maritime sector holds immense opportunities. These are the kinds of opportunities we must unlock to create jobs for our youth,” Dr. Katana said, urging young people, to enroll in maritime courses.
He further asserted that the Academy aspires to be an industrial Academy to convert graduates from other institutions who intend to get job opportunities at sea to be trained on short courses.
“We are also introducing courses that are specifically tailored to counties such as firefighting so that counties can be able to build their capacities in managing fires that may arise from time to time. We are also collaborating with the Kenya Navy because they have advanced equipment,” he said.
The CEO emphasised that the Academy’s mission is to provide competent human resources for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy through its wide range of courses from Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and Maritime, Transport and Logistics.
The courses from Certificate to diploma level have been revised to conform to the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) guidelines. The Academy also offer short courses.
The premier maritime institution nestled near the Port of Mombasa has more than 800 trainees on the modular programme. It boasts modern training equipment to meet global needs.
Dr. Katana affirmed that they churn out graduates who are ready for the job market locally and globally.
“Our curriculum is highly regulated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) because we are competing in a global space. The students that we are training must meet the standards of IMO,” he stated.
Locally, the courses are regulated by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority, the Kenya National Qualification Authority and the Kenya Maritime Authority.
The Academy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of South Korea on training in exchange programmes.
Recently, BMA signed an MOU with Stephen Dock Maritime Academy in Denmark on curriculum development, trainers exchange programmes and virtual classes of the prestigious institution.
“We are committed to fostering strong international training synergies because maritime education is inherently global,” he said.
Peterson Kiragu, a BMA alumnus from the Maritime Department, shared his experience of securing a cadetship with CMA-CGM Shipping Line.
This opportunity allowed him to gain sea time before sitting for the Certificate of Competency to qualify as a Third Engineer, as required by the IMO. Kiragu encouraged youth to pursue maritime courses for well-paying careers.
“I’ve served onboard as a deck cadet for six months. It has been an exciting journey, being paid to travel the world, while gaining hands-on experience,” said Winnie Nyambu, a Deck Cadet who graduated from BMA in 2016.
“I want to especially encourage young women to join this industry. It’s thrilling, rewarding, and offers the chance to explore life at sea while earning a good income,” she added.
Titus Kilonzi, Marine Engineer and BMA Deputy Director-In Charge of Maritime Education and Training, highlighted the wide range of job opportunities available aboard vessels.
By Sadik Hassan
