Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John is assuring that Government’s national Revitalisation Blueprint includes significant investment in the maritime sector, creating new opportunities for future generations.
She was speaking on Monday at an event marking the International Day for Women in Maritime, which aimed to highlight the critical role women play in the industry while inspiring the next generation of female maritime professionals.
She said Government’s Revitalisation Blueprint includes over 100 development projects, many of them focused on ports and maritime infrastructure.
“Ports being modernised with expanded cargo handling, upgraded digital systems, and improved ferry terminals to position Trinidad and Tobago as the premier transshipment hub of the Caribbean and Latin America, dare I say. These are not distant promises, and every single one of them will need people to build, run, and lead them. Port modernisation creates roads for engineers, project managers, and procurement specialists.”
The event, hosted by the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean in collaboration with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, brought together 40 students from St. Joseph’s Convent.
Minister John also used the opportunity to encourage young women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated industries, urging them to be confident and assertive.
“If I get up and a man asks me, ‘Can you make me a cup of tea?’ I say, no, I’ll sit back down and say, ‘You make it and make one for me.’ You understand? So you don’t shrink in a room because of your gender. And you’re not loud. You don’t have to be loud. You just go in there and you carve out your space.”
Representative of the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Candice Baptiste, stressed the indispensable role of the maritime sector in everyday life and global trade.
“Our clothes, foods, cars, make-up, nails, iPhone. You think about it, all pass through our seaports and airports. And when the port stops, a nation stops. In fact, the world can stop. So young ladies, as you dream about your future, know this: the maritime sector and Trinidad and Tobago will benefit tremendously from your skill set, your creativity and your willingness to meet the challenges head on.”
Vice President of Port and Estate Management at the National Energy Corporation and former St. Joseph’s Convent student Michelle Scipio-Hosang also outlined the wide range of career opportunities available in the sector.
“You have naval architects designing the next generation of ships. You have hydrographers mapping the seafloor. You have maritime attorneys handling shipping load. Trinidad needs more women in this field badly. A decarbonisation lead designs how ships stop burning fuel oil. A brand new field.”
International Day for Women in Maritime is observed annually on May 18th.