Elijah Samuels, Tre’sure Nanette, J’Kai Berkeley
[Written by Robyn Bardgett]
Endeavour, a Bermuda-registered charity that builds self-confidence and life skills for Bermuda’s youth through experiential education, partners with the Bermuda College Athora Division of Professional and Career Education [APACE] to prepare young Bermudians for working in the maritime industry. The Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme is a seven-week training initiative for Bermudians aged 16 and older to gain hands-on experience and explore career options in the maritime sector.
After seven years and assisting 74 Bermudians develop skills and experience to work in the maritime industry both in Bermuda and abroad, the programme is opening applications for its eighth cohort which will run from January 6 to February 21, 2025.
We highlight three successful Springboard Graduates and see how the programme has impacted their future endeavours.
Elijah Samuels
2022 Springboard Cohort
The Springboard programme was a pivotal moment for high school student Elijah Samuels, who had once dreamed of sailing across the ocean. “Springboard played a major role in laying a foundation for my future,” he says, “giving me base qualifications and skills, which opened doors for major opportunities.” Since graduating from the programme in 2022, Elijah has made two Atlantic Ocean crossings, visited 20 different countries, and studied aboard the world’s oldest active tall ship, FS Sørlandet, with A + World Academy. “I can honestly say that was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” he says.
His goal is to become a yacht captain, and he is currently pursuing this by attending Warsash Maritime Academy of Solent University in Southampton, UK, where he is studying the Foundation Degree of Nautical Science. The course, he says, is very demanding but will eventually give him the qualifications to be an Officer of the Watch for any vessel up to 500 gross tonnes. He hopes to find a sponsoring company that will employ him to continue his training.
While the Springboard programme gave him an incredible foundation within the maritime sector, it also provided him with lifelong skills including improved social skills, higher self-confidence, and important leadership skills. He adds: “If the maritime industry is something you’re interested in, no matter what that may be, whether it is sailing, mechanics, joining the Coast Guard, or marine biology, it doesn’t matter. Just know that this is the programme for you.”
He adds, “Take it head-on with an open mind, learning from all those around you, even the people that are taking the course with you because you never know what knowledge they might already have. Have loads of fun because the seven weeks go by in a flash. Create as many connections as you can and just enjoy it!”
Tre’sure Nanette
2022 Springboard Cohort
Tre’sure Nanette kept her contacts with Endeavour after graduating from the Springboard programme, volunteering and then interning with the organisation. She was hired full-time in March.
“This has allowed me to learn a lot more about not just how to sail, but how to work with and teach kids as well as work with young people of all learning abilities, including those on the autism spectrum,” says Tre’sure. “Before, I personally couldn’t ever see myself as a teacher or an educator, but now I’m working full time as a program instructor, which has been really cool.”
The Springboard programme greatly helped her “come out of her shell” and led to lasting friendships. It also helped to build her confidence. “Having to stand up and do presentations on what we were learning and then applying it to real life and seeing that I could still be active and learn all while being around the water was refreshing. I made a lot of lasting friendships,” she says. “I was so shy during the program, but I’ve definitely come out of my shell since then and learned to communicate with all sorts of people of all different ages and learning styles.”
Tre’sure was also supported in pursuing her other goals, like photography. Recently, Endeavour, in partnership with SailGP Inspire, arranged for Tre’sure to be in San Francisco with SailGP for the season 4 finale, where she gained a week of work experience with the media team. But it is the next step that will be the most rewarding, and she looks forward to supporting the next cohort of Springboard participants. “Doing the Springboard programme and then working with Endeavour has definitely widened my idea of what’s really possible for me in this industry and for myself.”
J’Kai Berkeley
2023 Springboard Cohort
The Springboard programme prepared J’Kai Berkeley for his time at the Chapman School of Seamanship, which he attended in March 2023. He is now currently enrolled in the Marine Technology course at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island.
“Being able to work on chart plotting, boat handling, boat safety, rules of the road, and navigation in general prepared me for the course at the Chapman School,” says J’Kai. “Also, Endeavour helped me to make new connections; I was able to make new friends and meet new people.”
Being able to spend time on the water every day was also incredibly valuable for J’Kai. “Every day I was able to improve my sailing skills, boat handling, and navigation skills,” he says.
His advice for those considering taking part in the programme, “If you enjoy being on the ocean and you want to be involved in the maritime industry, the Endeavour Maritime Springboard Programme is the perfect start for your career.”
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme. Spaces are very limited, and candidates are invited to submit a cover letter outlining their interest in the programme along with their resume via email to education@endeavour.bm by 5 p.m. on November 1.
