Three Apprentices Complete Maritime Training Programme

Three young people have completed a six-week Maritime Apprenticeship Programme designed to introduce them to careers in shipping, port operations, logistics and business.

Dezante Maile, Myah Ward and Shekinah Hector received certificates during a ceremony held on September 11 at the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority’s Conference Room.

The programme was organised by Tropical Shipping in partnership with the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) and the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority (ABPA).

Participants spent two weeks at Tropical Shipping learning about shipping line operations, followed by two weeks at the Port Authority gaining exposure to port activities and the wider maritime industry. Their final two weeks were spent with private-sector companies, where they explored the customer and commercial side of the supply chain.

This year’s participating businesses were A.S. Bryden & Sons (Antigua) Ltd., Automotive Art and Chase Distributors Ltd., each of which hosted an apprentice.

Tamara Lowe-James, Programme Lead and Island Manager at Tropical Shipping, said the initiative demonstrated the value of giving young people firsthand experience in the maritime sector.

“It was rewarding to see the growth, confidence and enthusiasm of the apprentices throughout the six weeks, and we are extremely grateful to all of our partners who helped make the programme possible,” she said.

Lowe-James added that organisers were looking forward to building on the achievements of the 2025 and 2026 programmes and welcoming another cohort in 2027.

Speaking at the ceremony, PMAC Chairman and ABPA Chief Executive Officer Darwin Telemaque stressed the importance of mentorship in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals.

He encouraged experienced industry professionals to share their knowledge and provide guidance, saying that preparing young people for meaningful careers requires more than simply introducing them to a workplace.

Telemaque highlighted mentorship as essential to helping young people develop confidence, build competence and understand the opportunities available within the industry.

Through the apprenticeship programme, Tropical Shipping and its partners aim to encourage greater youth participation in maritime and logistics careers while developing talent to support the industry’s future in Antigua and Barbuda and across the Caribbean.