In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has pushed learning online across the region, a maritime webinar series will promote maritime education and job opportunities in shipping and logistics—one of the most important sectors in the Caribbean economy.
The American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF), in association with the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities, and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, will launch the Maritime Linkup: Beyond Borders Webinars on the 19 August, with subsequent sessions on 9 and 23 September; and 7 and 21 October. The five-part webinar series focused on connecting Caribbean youth with educational and professional opportunity in the maritime sector and blue economy, is free to students and educators. Register at https://tinyurl.com/maritimelinkup
to ensure you are a part of these exciting discussions.
The series will feature the top brass of some of the biggest cargo and cruise brands as presenters. They include Captain Remy Vyzelman, President of Integra Marine & Freight Services/DP World; Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International; Juan Carlos Croston, President of Caribbean Shipping Association; Rick Sasso, Chairman MSC Cruises USA; and Rick Murrell, Retired Chairman of Tropical Shipping.
Ms. Pauline Whiteman, Chair of CANTA stated that, “This important opportunity to partner with the ACMF to plan, promote and deliver a series of webinars on maritime prospects for the youth of the Caribbean is historic”.
Commenting on the collaboration with Caribbean partners, ACMF President Dr. Geneive Brown Metzger says, “The ACMF values the opportunity to work with CANTA and the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors, and looks forward to collaborating on other projects to engage more of our youth in this vital sector”.
The ACMF will fund a full-tuition scholarship, namely the ACMF CANTA Scholarship, which is to be awarded at the final webinar on 21 October. The recipient, who must have attended the first three webinars, may study at one of the ACMF academic partners—the Caribbean Maritime University in Jamaica or the University of Trinidad and Tobago. The ACMF CANTA Scholarships application can be downloaded at the ACMF website https://www.acmfdn.org/scholarships/.
About the ACMF
Established in 2016, the ACMF is a non-profit tax-exempt organization based in New York that funds scholarships and grants for Caribbean students to study logistics and maritime at any of its three academic partners: The Caribbean Maritime University in Jamaica, University of Trinidad and Tobago, and the LJM Maritime Academy in The Bahamas. It is the only entity of its kind and since its inception has funded 13 scholarships and grants, and raised a Lecture Hall at the Caribbean Maritime University. Eight of its scholarship recipients are graduating in 2020 with Bachelor’s Degrees. ACMF also hosts the annual Anchor Awards honoring leaders in the maritime industry. The 2020 Anchor Award honorees are Win Thurber, Chairman of Norton Lilly International; and Rick Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises USA.
About the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA)
The Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA) was launched in November 2003 with responsibility for the coordination of TVET in Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The establishment of CANTA was born out of the need for the coordination and rationalization of TVET and the move to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), including proposals for the free movement of certified skilled labour; prompted the National Training Agencies (NTAs) and TVET apex bodies in the region to exploit the benefits of joint and concerted efforts.
CANTA was endorsed as the implementation arm of the CARICOM Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Technical Vocational Education and Training (RCMTVET) at the Ninth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) in October 2003. It is the platform from which positions on TVET can be clearly articulated and promoted in the region.
