COMMISSIONING OF NEW BERTHING FACILITY AT PORT ZANTE WILL SEE NEED FOR MORE MARITIME PILOTS; YOUTH ENCOURAGED TO GET INVOLVED

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 15, 2019 (SKNIS): During the National Consultation on YOUth Forum at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel on February 14, Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, said that upon completion of the second cruise pier at Port Zante, which is expected to be commissioned on September 23, 2019, there will be need for more maritime pilots.
 
He said this in response to a question that was posed by an enthusiastic young man, who asked “what are some of the opportunities given to young people who are interested in the tourism industry to further their skills in terms of maritime transportation and to become maritime pilots?”
 
“I’m glad that he is looking in that way,” said the tourism minister, while adding that the government can look into providing support for persons to train in that area.   
 
The government is also investing in the youth of the Federation through the Tourism Education Programme.  There are presently six schools participating–four primary schools, one secondary and one tertiary. The schools include the Dr. William-Connor, Tyrell Williams, Tucker Clarke and Sandy Point Primary Schools, the Basseterre High School (BHS) and the Advanced Vocational and Education Centre (AVEC).
 
Approximately 300 students are enrolled in the programme, which has been active for three years.
 
Other Cabinet members speaking at the event included, Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, Senior Minister Honourable Vance Amory, Attorney General Honourable Senator Vincent Byron Jr., the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, and the Honourable Mark Brantley and the Honourable Senator Wendy Phipps. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Senator Akilah Byron-Nisbett, also spoke to the young persons.