State pushes initiative to create seafarer jobs for TVET graduates

Maritime Affairs PS Aden Millah (centre) before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure./KNA

The State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs has unveiled an ambitious plan to create seafarers’ jobs for Technical and Vocational Education and Training graduates.

The department has partnered with TVET institutions to convert graduates into certified seafarers in a bold move aimed at tackling youth unemployment and positioning Kenya as a leading supplier of maritime labour globally.

The Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by George Kariuki, was informed that the department was exploring collaboration with TVET institutions to undertake Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training to enable graduates to qualify for employment opportunities in the maritime sector, including jobs on international cruise ships.

Speaking during cross-examination on the state agency’s 2026 Budget Policy Statement, Maritime Affairs Principal Secretary Aden Millah said the government was working with TVET institutions because the STCW Convention sets the global benchmark for the training and certification of seafarers, making compliance mandatory for anyone seeking employment in international shipping lines and cruise vessels.

“We are exploring to partner and work closely with TVET institutions to transition their graduates into professional seafarers. Our goal is to ensure that these young people undergo Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training so they can qualify for employment opportunities in the maritime sector, including jobs on international cruise ships,” Millah said.

The PS noted that Kenya has immense potential to benefit from the growing global demand for maritime labour. According to international industry projections, the world faces a significant shortage of trained seafarers, presenting a unique opportunity for Kenyan youth.

Through the department’s flagship Vijana Baharia Programme, the government targets training 23,000 seafarers and facilitating the recruitment of 14,900 into the global maritime labour market over the medium term.

The partnership with TVET institutions will enable graduates from disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, plumbing, hospitality and marine-related courses to transition into maritime careers after completing mandatory STCW certification and sea-time training.

To support this initiative, the government is strengthening capacity at Bandari Maritime Academy, which has been designated a Regional Centre of Excellence for maritime training. Ongoing investments, including the construction of a Survival Training and Certification Centre, are expected to significantly increase the country’s ability to train internationally recognised seafarers.

Millah emphasised that securing cruise ship jobs for Kenyan youth will not only reduce unemployment but also increase foreign remittances and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the Blue Economy.

“We want our young people to move from job seekers to global professionals. By equipping them with STCW certification, we are opening doors to cruise ships, cargo vessels, offshore installations and other maritime opportunities across the world,” he said.

The initiative is also supported by ongoing negotiations with major maritime nations to sign mutual recognition agreements that will allow Kenyan-issued certificates to be recognised internationally, further easing access to global shipping and cruise employment markets.

The State Department is in the process of ensuring that all Kenyan seafarers are issued with Seafarers Identification Documents in the coming months.

Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Omae Nyarandi noted that the partnership between the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs and the State Department for TVET will ensure that the target of recruiting 14,900 youth into the global maritime labour market is achieved.