EMAR Promotes Maritime Training in Cabo Verde Schools

The Escola do Mar (EMAR) has initiated the "Feira Azul 2026" in São Vicente, Cabo Verde, to promote maritime training and encourage young people to pursue careers in the maritime sector. The event, which started on Tuesday, is being held under the theme "O Mar de Oportunidades" (The Sea of Opportunities). EMAR's goal is to attract more young people to maritime professions, which offer good income and future prospects.

According to Nilton Silva, President of EMAR's Board of Administration, the institution aims to motivate young people to pursue maritime careers, which can provide a good income and promising future. Silva emphasizes that the sea is a source of opportunity and wealth for Cabo Verde, and that the country should take full advantage of it. EMAR has already conducted over 200 training actions, involving more than 4,600 trainees, with an employability rate of 87%.

The "Feira Azul 2026" will visit several secondary schools in São Vicente, including Escola Salesiana de Artes e Ofícios, Jorge Barbosa, Escola Técnica, José Augusto Pinto, and Ludgero Lima. The event aims to showcase the various training programs offered by EMAR, such as marinheiro, motorista marítimo, contramestre, and aquacultura. After completing their training, professionals undergo an international certification process through the Instituto Marítimo e Portuário (IMP).

EMAR's training programs are designed to meet the needs of the national and international job market. The institution is seeking to increase its employability rate by adapting its training offer to the needs of the market. Silva reveals that EMAR has already held talks with international operators, including a German company that has offered to provide training and investment for young Cabo Verdean maritime professionals.

The certification provided by IMP is internationally recognized, thanks to bilateral agreements. However, each country has its own rules and regulations. EMAR's training programs are available in various areas of the maritime sector, and the institution is open to expanding the "Feira Azul" to other islands in Cabo Verde, in collaboration with local authorities.

The initiative has been welcomed by many, who see it as an opportunity for young people to acquire skills and knowledge in the maritime sector. The "Feira Azul 2026" is expected to contribute to the development of the maritime industry in Cabo Verde, which has significant potential for growth and job creation.

EMAR's efforts to promote maritime training and encourage young people to pursue careers in the sector are seen as crucial for the country's economic development. The institution's goal is to position Cabo Verde as a hub for maritime training and employment, and to provide young people with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.

Key points

• EMAR's "Feira Azul 2026" aims to attract more young people to maritime professions and provide them with training and job opportunities.