From Pyrgos in Ilia, Neapoli in Laconia and Karpenisi, to Thessaloniki and Hydra, and from Alexandroupoli, Orestiada, Didymoteicho and Komotini, to Chios, Oinousses, Psara and Fournoi islands, as well as Kavala, Xanthi, Patras, Rethymno, Chania and Heraklion, thousands of students and university attendees had the opportunity to discover the world of shipping through interactive presentations and direct engagement with industry professionals.
A particularly important milestone has been the integration of the YES Forum Shipping Course into the Skills Workshops curriculum for 6th Grade Primary School and 3rd Grade Junior High School students. The response from both students and educators has been exceptionally positive, as the program familiarizes young people with the maritime sector while opening new professional horizons. At the same time, the active participation of the shipping community has been instrumental, with numerous companies actively supporting the initiative, including through the donation of the book “Towards the Sea…” to students.
The conclusions drawn from these initiatives are especially revealing. Even in regions with a strong maritime tradition, it was often the first time students had the opportunity to interact with professionals from the industry. The absence of similar initiatives in regional areas highlights a significant gap, at a time when the need for meaningful career guidance is more pressing than ever.
At the same time, the initiatives highlighted the connection between the shipping industry and critical national issues such as the demographic challenge and brain drain, as the lack of information and opportunities often leads young people to seek professional prospects abroad. Early exposure to career opportunities and direct engagement with the market can act as a catalyst for retaining and empowering human capital within Greece. Furthermore, the active involvement of the maritime community has proven essential, with many companies offering tangible support to the initiative, including the distribution of the book “Towards the Sea…” to students.
Particular emphasis is also placed on supporting young people in their transition to the job market through:
• More than 130 Open Days at shipping companies that had never previously opened their offices to young people before our initiatives. • Career Days featuring dozens of companies and more than 1,500 interviews with students starting from their first year at university. • 175 active mentor–mentee pairs, strengthening knowledge transfer and bridging generations. • The YES-CV platform, providing a direct and effective connection between young professionals and the job market.
The presentation of the findings from these initiatives will take place on Friday, June 5, at the Posidonia Conference Hall, within the framework of Posidonia’s Youth Day, which this year celebrates 10 years of continuous presence and has become a key institution for connecting the younger generation with the shipping industry. During the international panel discussion, which will be held for the first time, the challenges and opportunities of the sector will be highlighted, as well as the role of young people in shaping the future of global shipping.
With consistency and a long-term vision, YES Forum stands as the only platform engaging all levels of education, continuously investing in the younger generation by creating meaningful bridges between education and the labor market, while expanding young people’s access to one of the most strategic, international and outward-looking sectors of the Greek economy.. At the same time, we continuously develop and update our educational material in line with the evolving needs of the market and the sector’s requirements.
Given that the demographic challenge and brain drain remain critical national issues, timely information, equal access to knowledge and meaningful connection with real professional opportunities emerge as key factors for retaining and empowering human capital in Greece.
By: N. Peter Kramer
