The Lawhill Maritime Studies programme, a successful South African educational programme that equips teenagers with maritime skills while they are still at school, has been shortlisted for an international award.
Pioneered in the mid-90's, it is designed to improve the employment prospects of hundreds of school leavers in the country, while also demonstrating the value of partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions in the field of youth unemployment and poverty.
The educational programme, which is entirely funded by the country's shipping industry, has been picked out by the 2012 Seatrade Investment in People awards as 'recognition that Lawhill is helping to address the skills shortage in the maritime industry by creating opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue a career in a growing and important industry,' according to Brian Ingpen who heads up the Lawhill Maritime Centre.
'The shortlisting is also a special achievement for the hundreds of students who have passed through the programme since it was founded 17 years ago and for organisations who have, and continue to, support the programme,' Ingpen added.
Safmarine has been a major backer of the programme, with both Southern Africa cluster manager Jonathan Horn and group CEO Grant Daly highlighting its importance.
'The success of the Lawhill programme is yet another example of Safmarine's sustainable partnership approach, an approach we don't only apply to our business and our relationships with customers, but also to our dealings with local communities around the world,' noted Daly. 'As such, we are delighted that this programme which has helped so many young South Africans find meaningful and productive employment, has once again received international recognition.'
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