Nine young yachting industry hopefuls receive STCW certifications |21 December 2021
The nine youngsters in a souvenir photograph with guests after they had been presented with their certificates (Photo: Jude Morel)
Nine youngsters who are keen to join the yachting industry yesterday received their Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) from the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA).
In a brief ceremony attended by Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Jean-François Ferrari; principal secretary in the Department of Blue Economy Kenneth Racombo and deputy director of the SMA Captain Wilton Ernesta, the young sea enthusiasts were each remitted with five certificates in total, after having successfully completed the two-week intensive programme of short courses, including Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility and Proficiency in Security Awareness.
The group are the first batch of hopefuls to be funded by the Department of the Blue Economy in a bid to increase local participation in the industry.
In starting, Minister Ferrari urged the students to put to use all that they have learned, to deliver a service which satisfies clients and helps in elevating standards in the industry.
The minister also gave them government’s commitment to push them even further through training and job opportunities.
“There are many opportunities in the sector. We want this sector in our economy to thrive. You are the pioneers and by the time our industry is developed even further, you will be at the very top. Remain in contact with us, and we will circulate you and your names everywhere to ensure that you have the best opportunities. Have the right attitude,” Minister Ferrari urged the youths.
Xavier Jacqueline is a Seychellois who has been engaged in the sector for numerous years, and has been residing and working in Palma de Mallorca for the past 16 years. He notes that there are various great opportunities for Seychellois in the sector, even on the global market.
“There are many opportunities from cook, engineers, captains, boat boy, rigger, hostess, skipper, there are a million things to do in the sector. There are many Seychellois in the industry in France, Italy, Dubai, Doha, and we progress by our own merit,” Mr Jacqueline stated.
Alison Hoareau was among the nine who completed the course and was awarded yesterday. To her, the course was intense but enjoyable nonetheless, an experience through which she has learned a lot. In future, she hopes to further her studies and tackle more advanced courses, and hopefully join the industry.
Laura Pillay