Catch Them Young - WOMESA TANZANIA

About Catch Them Young Project

Introduction

CATCH THEM YOUNG PROJECT

The Catch Them Young project is a strategic initiative designed for young girls and boys in primary and secondary schools, aiming to nurture early interest in maritime professions. Although WOMESA, by nature, advocates for gender equity in the maritime sector, this particular project broadens the scope to include all young students, regardless of gender.

Recognizing the need to inspire the next generation, WOMESA Tanzania has launched the Catch Them Young project to expose young minds to the opportunities within the maritime industry. The goal is to develop a pipeline of enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and capable future engineers, navigators, logisticians, freight forwarders, and other maritime professionals who will help drive the sector’s growth and contribute to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

The project was launched by the representative of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Works and Transport (Transport Sector), Ms. Stella J. Katondo, on November 27, 2020, during the ninth (9th) anniversary celebration of WOMESA Tanzania. Implementation of the project began in June 2021.

Ms. Stella J. Katondo (left), representing the Secretary General of the Ministry of Works and Transport (Transport Sector), alongside Dr. Devotha E. Mandanda, Secretary of WOMESA Tanzania, at the launch of the ‘Catch Them Young’ project.

Catch Them Young Project Portfolio

Project Portfolio

Behind the Project

Rationale Behind the Catch Them Young Project

The “Catch Them Young Project ” focuses on introducing young people to maritime careers early, fostering interest and skill development in the industry. This project support young Tanzanians in pursuing maritime education and it apply in collaboration with other institutions in the Maritime Sector in providing high school students with specialized maritime training.

Project Initiation

The Catch Them Young project was initiated to address a critical gap: the shortage of seafarers and maritime professionals in Tanzania. This shortage is largely attributed to long-standing societal stereotypes that portray the maritime sector as male-dominated and unsuitable for women or the youth. As a result, many students and parents are discouraged from pursuing maritime education and careers.

Aim

This project aim to build a strong pipeline of future maritime professionals by offering scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences.

Our primary objective

Primary Objectives

WOMESA Tanzania developed this project with the following primary objective:

To Raise Awareness of Maritime Opportunities for Youth

The project aims to open students’ eyes to the vast opportunities within Tanzania’s maritime sector, including:

Fisheries
Shipping and logistics
Maritime transportation
Marine engineering and environmental protection
Maritime tourism

By underlining these prospects, the project contributes to poverty reduction through both self-employment and formal job creation. It also supports national development by increasing the number of individuals equipped with maritime knowledge and skills.

To Promote Enrolment in Maritime Education

The project encourages students to pursue further studies at maritime institutions after completing secondary education. These institutions include:

(i) Bandari College, Dar es Salaam

(ii) Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI)

(iii) National Institute of Transport (NIT)

(iv) Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA)

To Promote the Implementation of Blue Economy Projects

The project aims to inspire a steady influx of young, energetic individuals to pursue maritime-related education and actively participate in Blue Economy activities, such as:

Fishing;
Seaweed farming;
Maritime tourism;
Aquaculture;
Ocean Engineering; and
Other marine-based ventures.

Through involvement in these sectors, young people will contribute to sustainable economic growth while also playing a key role in conserving and protecting the marine environment.

Project Coverage

Project Coverage

The Catch Them Young project targets all Tanzanian regions with direct access to navigable waters, both on the mainland and the islands. In each selected school, the program will:

Raise awareness about opportunities in the maritime sector;
Establish maritime clubs to foster continued student engagement; and
Engage students in community service activities related to the maritime sector.

Priority regions include Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga, Unguja, Pemba, Pwani, Lindi, Mwanza, Kagera, Kigoma, Mara, Simiyu, Rukwa, Njombe, Katavi, and Ruvuma.