POND ISLAND, Sint Maarten – The first of four participants of Kidz At Sea Foundation Maritime Maintenance Training Program, recently received their certificates which would assists them with finding employment with marine sector companies in vessel maintenance or to work in chandleries.
Kidz At Sea has various trainings and programs dedicated to Sint Maarten youth who are seeking a career in the Maritime Sector.
Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson commends the Kidz At Sea organization for all their efforts in preparing young people for a career in the maritime sector.
“I would like to congratulate the four young promising individuals who recently received their certificates after completing the Maritime Maintenance Training Program of Kidz At Sea.
“These young individuals have gained the knowledge and experience and can now seek a career. We need to continue to develop our maritime sector by developing our own human resources who can fill the positions that become available.
“The Kidz At Sea Foundation therefore is playing a vital role with the support of the maritime service sector businesses. Talent remains key in our maritime-yachting sector and therefore the continued cultivation of youth talent will keep us moving forward as a ‘must visit’ yachting destination in the Caribbean.
“The synergies and services provided along with the ‘Friendly Island’ hospitality will keep the yachting community returning to the island. I would like to commend and thank all the maritime companies who give their valuable support to the Kidz At Sea programmes in grooming the next generation of maritime-yachting talent.
“Our maritime-yachting sector future and success is dependent on our ability to grow a pool of maritime-ready workforce. Rewarding and enriching careers to local youths lowers youth unemployment while developing the future skills needed in building a #SXMStrong resilient sector,” Minister Stuart Johnson said on Monday.
The marine sector of Dutch Sint Maarten according to an Economic Impact Study 2012 by KPMG International, says the Sint Maarten marine sector is responsible for more than 1/3 of employment and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The 2011 direct turnover impact in added value was approximately US$125 million, which equals 16 per cent of the national GDP, and amounts to more than 3500 direct jobs.
“Sint Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s premier yachting destinations which host some of the most exclusive and luxurious vessels.
“We are in a post-Irma environment, and based on the news coming from our resilient maritime sector, the yachting capital of the Caribbean is ready for the 2018-2019 season.
“The maritime-yachting sector is part and parcel of the coalition governing program ‘Building a Sustainable Sint Maarten’ which falls under Revive & Restore Strategic Objectives, under the theme initiative of Destination Revitalization, which calls for the strengthening of maritime facilities and services.”
