Take advantage of blue economy to employ yourselves, youth told

Young people must be more curious about available opportunities and harness their own potential. 

Kenya Maritime Authority chairman Hamisi Mwaguya on Wednesday said while the blue economy sector provides openings, youth should be eager to learn and take advantage of them.

Mwaguya said the youth, especially at the Coast, are more interested in basic training at the expense of career opportunities.

He made reference to the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping endorsements, which seafarers are required to have.   

“Many of the young people I have engaged with think getting the STCW is enough to get them jobs in the maritime sector,” Mwaguya said.

“You must have a certain skill or career for the STCW to help you. You must be a cook, plumber, electrician or waiter first for the STCW to help you aboard a vessel.”

The STCW is only the basic safety training which augments one’s career, he added. 

Political leaders have been calling for the decentralisation of maritime studies to allow the STCW course to be offered in local polytechnics and Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions.

Currently, the Bandari Maritime Academy is the only institution providing such studies, which they say is inconveniencing. 

Mwaguya commented on this, saying although it is a good idea, it needs a lot of investment and better infrastructure. 

“There are certain standards that are required for an institution to be able to administer the STCW. First, the trainers, then the equipment necessary for the training and then the availability of the students,” he said.

Mwaguya was speaking at the pre-launch of the first blue economy innovation and investment summit at Sote Hub in Nyali.

The conference, which will be held at Whitesands Beach Hotel in Mombasa, will allow youth to showcase their creativity and seek financial help.

It will run from October 2-4.

Sote Hub director David Ogega said the blue economy sector has a lot of employment opportunities that need only to be tapped.

“However, these opportunities must be made known to the youth,” Ogega said.

The summit will bring together stakeholders to discuss various challenges affecting the blue economy including climate change, access to capital and technology.

He added that funding for MSMEs remains the biggest challenge for many innovative and creative youth and apart from the KMA giving direction on maritime matters, it also provides advice to ensure best return on investment.

EU ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, is set to be the chief guest at the summit, which expects the participation of 500 stakeholders.

County chief officer for Environment and Solid waste management, Hamid Shehan, lauded efforts by Sote Hub. 

The youth have been ignored for a long time and the Hub has been an integral part of the government being in touch with the demographic.

Shehan said the youth feel disenfranchised because their views are not considered and the time has come for them to be given space and opportunities.