Young Shipping Professionals of CASA lure youth

• Pick 10 schools in Southern province covering 550 students for career guidance program

Young Shipping Professionals of CASA is a forum created under the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents to groom future leaders to the shipping industry. It encourages and promotes networking and interaction with the industry professional enabling youth to expand their horizons in the industry to take on the future challengers for the shipping community at large both locally and internationally.

The YSP Steering Committee under the leadership of YSP Chairman Navin Perera has embarked on a voyage in expanding the scope of YSP for the next generation. The objectives are: Increase networking opportunities through collaboration with industry forums, associations and professionals enabling our members to gain exposure in the shipping industry; Develop the young talent and to uplift the standards of education and knowledge related to the industry; Expand our membership and to promote gender balance in the membership and Encourage youth to contribute effectively to the industry through innovation and novel ideas.

Perera said, “YSP’s focus is to create awareness to support and promote the youth in the country to venture in to the shipping industry, highlighting the strategic location and the impact we can make in the maritime industry as a nation. We are sitting comfortably on the most strategic location connecting the East and the West without capitalising on the opportunity at hand. 

“The shipping industry offers you one of the most diverse and exciting career paths within industries today. The global marketplace is expanding. World economy depends upon shipping for sustainability and growth. As international trade increases worldwide, so does the demand for shipping, and along with it, increased opportunities to enter this exciting field. This means that you will have ample opportunities in finding employment in the shipping industry. Finding your niche, though, requires careful planning, research, proper education and training. Are we ready for it? 

“We as YSP will take the lead in creating awareness focused on the youth which we believe is our greatest asset. This was our objective when we decided to take on this project to launch a career day themed ‘Guiding the pathway of our Youth’.” 

He also thanked the CASA Chairman Capt. Ajith Peiris and the Executive committee for sponsoring this event and for the guidance given in planning out the event as a flagship event in the CASA calendar.

“As part of our commitment to collaborate with other industry related bodies/forums and also to support gender balance, YSP partnered WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) and WILAT (Women in Logistics and Transport) for the event and we thank them for their support extended towards YSP during this event,” Perera added.

10 schools from the Southern province were selected for the program, consisting of 550 students. The schools were: Raichmond College, Vidyaloka College, St. Aloysius College, All Saints College, Siridamma College, Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Southlands College, Sacred Heart Convent, Rippon Girls College and Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya.

The event was graced by Minister of Petroleum and Petroleum Gas Chandima Weerakody as the Chief Guest. The Zonal Director Education Wasantha Siriwardane, Galle Provisional Director Education Nimal Dissanayake, Assistant Director Provisional Education Department Prasanjale Gamage, Shantha Bandara Manager Security Galle Port and Head of Operations, Sylesh Peerez, Dhammika Walgampaya , Secretary General CASA, members of WISTA and WILAT were also present at the occasion.

The presentations were scheduled on study techniques and motivation to study, Introduction to Shipping and Logistics and finally on Air freight conducted by Milinda Sooriyaarachchi as the guest speaker, Navin Perera representing YSP and Nilu Mediwake Wickramsinghe representing WISTA respectively.

A question and answer session on the topics discussed were also conducted and gifts were awarded to the respective students, sponsored by WILAT.

The program was brought to a closure with the field trip to the Port of Galle where the opportunity was given to students to visit the harbour and to receive a detailed briefing made on the current operations in the Galle port. 

The event was organised by the Steering Committee of YSP, project headed by Cleoni Hettiarchchi (Aitken Spence Shipping) under the advisory and leadership of YSP Chairman Navin Perera.