Faith Masita
Kenyan youth have been encouraged to pursue maritime training as the government and industry stakeholders intensify efforts to connect more young people to employment opportunities in the global shipping sector.
The call comes amid growing demand for skilled seafarers and maritime professionals as Kenya positions itself to benefit from the expanding Blue Economy. Officials say specialized maritime training can provide young people with access to jobs on international vessels, cruise ships, offshore facilities, ports, and logistics companies.
Government Seeks to Expand Access to Global Seafaring Opportunities
Industry leaders noted that maritime careers remain largely untapped despite offering competitive employment opportunities both locally and abroad. They urged young Kenyans, particularly graduates from technical and vocational institutions, to consider maritime certification courses that meet international standards.
According to maritime sector officials, the government is working with training institutions to expand access to internationally recognized courses such as the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) programme, which is a mandatory qualification for most seafaring jobs worldwide.
Recent initiatives have also seen hundreds of trainees complete maritime safety and security courses, equipping them with skills required in shipping, marine services, cruise tourism, port operations, and offshore industries. Stakeholders say such programs are critical in preparing Kenyan youth for emerging opportunities .
Parliamentarians and maritime agencies have further called for increased awareness and funding support to enable more young people from across the country to access maritime education and certification programmes. They argue that the sector has the potential to create thousands of jobs while helping address youth unemployment.
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The government is targeting the training of thousands of seafarers over the coming years under various maritime employment initiatives, with a focus on linking certified graduates to international labour markets.
