In view of the first International Day for Women in Maritime, A.P. Moller – Maersk’s (Maersk) today announced India’s first seafarers’ cadet programme.
Aimed at young women choosing a career in seafaring, the programme gives an option to choose between the three-year Bachelors in Nautical Science or the four-year Bachelors in Engineering degree courses, after completing their high school (10+2).
The company has partnered with AMET, Chennai, to roll out a unique cadet programme that will offer appropriate opportunities necessary for honing the technical and social skills required to launch women into the profession.
Further, the programme aims to ensure infrastructural advancements at the facility that are suitable and desirable for residential female students, undertake cultural enhancement that takes care of a psychologically and physically safe environment, and implement a vigilant administrative practice at the educational institute.
Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine HR – Asia, Maersk, said, “Women are reshaping the corporate world, taking on responsibilities in almost every sector, function and role. However, the seafaring community, which has otherwise been male-dominated, has not progressed at the same pace as the mainstream corporates. This must change, and to bring about that change, it is necessary to start at the grassroots level.”
Interestingly, women only make 0.5% of the total Indian seafarers at present, the company noted. Through the programme, Maersk aims to increase the proportion of women among the fresh cadets inducted to 50% by 2027 from a baseline of 7.6% in 2021.