The Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI) Blue Economy Youth Empowerment Project is seeking to equip young people with skills and opportunities to build careers while strengthening communities and supporting the sustainable use of Trinidad and Tobago’s marine resources.
Launched under the theme “From Coastline to Careers: Empowering Youth, Strengthening Communities, Transforming T&T”, the initiative focuses on developing a skilled workforce for the growing blue economy.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Ravi Ratiram noted that the development of the blue economy must balance economic growth with the protection of the marine environment.
“The question now is how we can create greater economic and social value for our maritime resources while protecting the ecosystem upon which that value depends.”
He said programmes such as the Youth Empowerment Project are especially important as Trinidad and Tobago seeks to expand opportunities within the maritime sector.
“Your training in areas such as maritime safety, vessel maintenance, coastal navigation, environmental stewardship, seafood processing and value addition is not disconnected training. These are components of an increasingly sophisticated blue economy value chain. However, the ultimate objective must be to translate skills into livelihoods.