NMI’s sponsorship of a unique 12 week international program began in April, in Bermuda. NMI staff, local community members and several families from Bermuda, along with Bermuda officials, attended this milestone event in these young adults’ lives.

Known as M.A.T.E, Maritime Apprentice Training and Employment program, eleven young adults from Bermuda were engaged in a maritime education program that centered on maritime training along with traditional life skills that sought to enable them to seek entry level maritime employment in addition to the possibility of higher maritime educational opportunities. The students attended the following NMI courses: Basic Safety Training, Able Seaman, Proficiency in Survival Craft, Operator of Un-inspected Passenger Vessels, Master 100 ton upgrade, Radar Observer and Bridge Resource Management. Several students have already been placed in maritime schools in locations such as Southampton England and locally here in New England. Several students returned directly to Bermuda at the end of the program while others transitioned to Bermuda’s tall ship Spirit of Bermuda for additional training and sea time. After some well deserved time off, students will be making applications for employment in Bermuda and around the globe. NMI will continue to support their interest in a maritime career though maritime career counseling.

Reflecting on the program, Eric Dawicki, President of NMI, said he “is extremely proud of the hard work, patience, and community service the students devoted to the Fairhaven community and to their own personal growth” and that “the traditions of the sea, maritime life and education, bring together human dynamics and interaction that uniquely qualifies these young adults to bring honor and leadership to Bermuda and her people.”  He noted that “there will be additional M.A.T.E, Maritime Apprentice Training and Employment programs scheduled for next year.