Maritime industry partners are interested in engaging with teachers and students to provide awareness of the exciting opportunities available throughout the maritime industry.
Mississippi’s largest port, the Port Pascagoula, is once again offering its Maritime Awareness Program designed to connect students with careers associated with the waterways.
Joseph Powell with Port Pascagoula said the program produced meaningful results in its first year and is looking forward to continuing the work.
“What began as an effort to educate students and teachers has produced multiple students securing careers within the maritime industry after participating in the program,” Powell said.
He said Port Pascagoula remains committed to developing the future workforce by introducing students to the diverse career paths available on and around our waterways.
“Through hands-on experiences, industry tours, classroom presentations, and direct interaction with maritime professionals, students gain a better understanding of the vital role the maritime industry plays in our local economy and our nation’s supply chain,” Powell added.
The Awareness program is designed to promote maritime awareness, connect students with industry, celebrate success and champion sustainability. The program is also designed to strengthen partnerships between the education community and maritime employers.
“We want to equip students with the knowledge, exposure, and industry connections needed to make informed career decisions while helping our maritime partners address workforce needs,” he said.
The maritime industry refers to all economic activities connected to the transport of goods and people by sea, marine resource extraction, coastal services, and maritime infrastructure. It is defined as the backbone of global trade moving roughly 11 billion tons of cargo annually.
Port Pascagoula believes the success of its first year has demonstrated the value of early career exposure. Today, several students are already employed within the maritime industry. This connection was made possible by the Port Pascagoula Maritime Awareness Program by helping create a direct pipeline from the classroom to rewarding careers.
“We look forward to expanding the program during this second year and continuing to inspire, educate, and prepare the next generation of maritime professionals,” Powell said.
Powell said requests for classroom visits have come from mostly the lower six counties, but requests can be made from anywhere. While Mississippi is bordered to the south by the Mississippi Sound, the western border of the Mississippi River and other waterways that run through the state, maritime careers are not only located on the Gulf Coast.
Maritime industry careers include shipping and logistics, shipbuilding and marine engineering, safety, fishing and aquaculture and education. Basically, it is the invisible network of ships, ports, people and technology that moves goods and resources that are essential to modern life.
To schedule a Maritime Awareness Day at your school or learn more about partnering with the program, please contact Joseph Powell at [email protected] or Caroline Nettles at [email protected].
*Photos are courtesy of Port Pascagoula
