MIRI: Twenty-five aspiring seafarers have begun their training at the Pelita Maslaut Marine Academy in Lutong here, marking the start of the academy’s 44th Marine Deck Apprentice course.
The three-month programme, which runs until the end of November, opened yesterday morning with an induction briefing attended by parents who had travelled from across Sarawak, including Lawas, Bintulu, Sibu, Baram and Sibuti.
Pelita Maslaut Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Masni Amit, who officiated at the session, urged more young people and school leavers to take up the opportunity of pursuing careers in the shipping industry.
“We hope more youth will seize the chance to enter this field and build professional careers at sea,” he said.
For many parents, the course represents more than just training.
Bahrum Abin, 54, from Kampung Masjid Baru in Merapok, Lawas, who accompanied his son Awang Indera Putra to Miri, said it was a meaningful pathway for young people.
“This course gives our youth a chance to shape a future in seafaring, a field not many from our community have ventured into,” he said.
“If my son secures work at sea after completing this programme, it will be a strong start – not only for him but also for his school, SMK Sendumin in Sipitang. We are thankful the academy has opened this door for youth.”
He added that two other trainees from Merapok had also enrolled, underlining the growing interest in the maritime profession among rural youth.
The academy, which has run similar courses for decades, positions itself as a stepping stone for Sarawakian school leavers to join the shipping sector, both locally and internationally.
