Uncategorized
Staffing issues in Maritime; Simmons says jobs are plenty
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, March 27, 2023 – One of the most pressing issues in the lucrative maritime industry is the need for workers making the creation of new maritime programs for TCI youth, particularly timely, says Carl Simmons, owner of Cargo Express and long-time shipping agent.
“Staffing is a very vital point that needs to be discussed. I know personally from experience even here in the Turks and Caicos and globally especially since the pandemic, there have been challenges with staffing.”
He was speaking at a TVET Maritime Industry Stakeholder meeting meant to introduce the partnership between the Turks and Caicos Community College and the LJM Maritime Academy in the Bahamas.
Maintaining that shipping wasn’t just loading a boat and setting off into the sunset, the Cargo Express owner listed career opportunities across the scope of the supply chain. He mentioned on-land opportunities including
Simmons said that it was a challenge daily to get people to work, because of the myth that there were no professional opportunities and no employment in the sector. He explained how dire the shortage was and how boundless the opportunities were.
“If you talk to any maritime organization, they will tell you they offer training for free once you express interest at our companies Tropical Shipping and Cargo Express. We are determined to employ anyone that wants to work for us once they meet our qualifications and we have a vacancy. We will train them at our cost and that goes on throughout the entire maritime industry.”
He stressed that TCI needed to take advantage of this now, and there was money to be made.
“We need to encourage our young men and women, our technocrats, and our Government to have a maritime curriculum in our schools. It’s a very professional environment and it’s money in there.” He quipped, “There’s money to be made because if you are qualified and you can present your credentials you can demand your salaries.”
He was supported in his argument by Brendamae Cleare, the President of LJMMA, who spoke virtually at the event.
“Even during Covid-19, if it was a person who always had a job, it was a seafarer,” she said.
The partnership is aimed at getting the TCICC to be the college of choice, providing TCI residents with the training to make a living in the maritime industry they were born into.