Blog: Helping young people appreciate the opportunities this sector can offer

I am delighted to have joined Maritime UK as Programme Manager (Careers and Outreach in early May. The position is based in Portsmouth and match-funded by the Solent LEP. The role has been created following publication of the Maritime 2050 People Route Map and its careers recommendations. 

I am a careers professional, with six years experience working in an FE College in Hampshire where my responsibilities included running the college's support services and being the Careers Leader. I recently qualified as a careers adviser after two years intensive study.

For 25 years I have worked with, or for children, in some form or another. I am a passionate believer in supporting young people to realise their potential, and to help them find their way in the world. Moving into the maritime sector gives me an exciting opportunity to help young people appreciate the endless opportunities and career pathways that this exciting, diverse and growing sector has to offer.

I firmly believe in the power of networks and collaborative working. I'm already building a network of careers advisers and leaders so that we can support these key influencers, and look forward to working with stakeholders in all the regions across all parts of the sector. I am enjoying meeting many members, partners and other industry stakeholders, and have been thrilled with their willingness to share knowledge with me.

I am making plans for our activities and events in Maritime UK week w/c 12th October, which we are hopeful will be able to be live rather than virtual by then, and building on the success of the careers outreach events we have been part of so far. 

Priorities for my first few weeks include developing a  strategy for careers and outreach, enhancing the Maritime UK Careers Taskforce to make it a real engine of delivery, building relationships with the regions and agreeing engagement plans with them, building a network of careers leaders and advisers in schools and colleges and developing further the online information sessions we are running from our website here.

I look forward to meeting as many industry colleagues whether by video call or in person as possible.