ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green, has welcomed the partnership forged between the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College to provide tertiary training for skills in the maritime industry.

Speaking at the launch at the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College campus in Granville, St James, last week Green noted that there was a great demand for highly trained professionals in various areas of the industry.

In also highlighting the development of Jamaica’s Logistics Hub Initiative, the State Minister said the Government recognised the CMI as a “leader” in preparing the workforce to take advantage of the potential opportunities this engagement presented, particularly for young people.

He contended, however, that “unless our people are adequately prepared, then (those) opportunities…will pass us by.”

“As such, I challenge both the Caribbean Maritime Institute and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College to embark on a major sensitisation and (enrolment) drive, ensuring that you get young people into the programme,” the State Minister urged.

Green described the partnership as a model for the type of “synergistic relationship” that can be forged at the tertiary level, and encouraged other institutions to establish similar collaborations.

These, he added, would ensure that the marketability of Jamaica’s workforce is further enhanced through strengthened training and certification.

Green also invited private sector stakeholders to partner with CMI and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College by providing scholarships to enable students in need of assistance to access the programmes offered by both institutions.

The first 19 students enrolled at the CMI/Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College campus are currently pursuing studies in shipping, logistics and supply chain management.