FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — With the launch of the Elnet Maritime 101 Cadet Programme, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey believes the island is one step closer to becoming the home of the country’s maritime industry.
“By capitalizing on every aspect of the maritime industry and making a vast number of these opportunities available to young Bahamians through education and training initiatives, we are strategically unlocking our island’s potential to provide future economic growth,” Moxey told the first cohort of students at the opening ceremony on October 29, 2022.
“The Ministry for Grand Bahama is pleased to partner with Elnet Maritime Agency on Maritime 101 by supporting the vision of Mr. Elbert Hepburn to educate grade 12 high school students about the shipping agency aspect of the maritime industry.”
The objective of Elnet Maritime 101 Programme, the brainchild of Elnet Maritime Limited President Elbert Hepburn, is “to equip grade 12 students with basic knowledge and training in the maritime industry to assist them with making decisions about their future career paths”.
Moxey pointed out that Mr Hepburn is a Grand Bahamian businessman who possesses a wealth of experience in the maritime sector and operates “one of the leading shipping agencies in The Bahamas”.
She also hopes that by the end of the program, all 20 students will be motivated to pursue careers in the maritime industry.
“Grand Bahama needs you. The future of our island is bright and it is diverse and there is plenty of room at the table for all of you,” Moxey told the youngsters.
“You are the future leaders, innovators, creators and entrepreneurs who will contribute significantly to the economic growth of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas.”
The high school seniors were challenged to set the bar high by being the best the program has ever seen.
The students also heard from Hepburn via a video presentation, in which he shared that it took his team nine months to develop a program that would best suit their needs.
Hepburn revealed that the goal is to continue to create opportunities in the industry and make The Bahamas the maritime centre of the world with Freeport, Grand Bahama, leading the charge.
Following the opening ceremony, the students spent the rest of the day learning the basics of operations and logistics.
