14 students are participating in the internships that will conclude the first edition of a free course co-organised by BSM, Barcelona Activa and the Institut Barcelona Nàutica
The project aims to address the sector’s need for qualified professionals, and dovetails with the Port Olímpic’s efforts to become a space that promotes nautical activity and the blue sectors
Barcelona has more than 1,100 companies working within the blue economy which employ more than 15,800 people
These days, the Port Olímpic is hosting internships for the first graduating class of the free course on seamanship at marinas led by BSM, Barcelona Activa and the Institut Barcelona Nàutica. A total of 14 people participated in this training, which kicked off last September. After 305 hours of theoretical sessions, the students are now completing their practical training, supervised by 10 sailors from the Port Olímpic, who are equipping them with the notions needed to work in a marina.
During the internships, for the first time the students will actually perform some of the marina seamanship work covered in the theoretical training, such as vessel maintenance tasks, mooring, tending to the crews and manoeuvring vessels within the port facilities.
The launch of the first certification programme for marina seamanship attracted a great deal of interest. More than 150 people submitted applications in the first round, which was targeted at unemployed individuals interested in career transitions towards the nautical sector.
A growing sector
The course helps students access what is a growing sector, especially with Barcelona hosting the upcoming America’s Cup. The city currently has more than 1,100 companies working within the blue economy which employ more than 15,800 people. Employment and training are the two core areas in the strategy to project the blue economy in Barcelona.
In fact, the first edition hasn’t even concluded yet, and the course has already attracted the interest of other ports, which have expressed their willingness to host future participants. The project is in line with the Port Olímpic’s goal of becoming the epicentre of sea-related economic, sport and social activities in Barcelona and addressing the sector’s needs for qualified professionals.
An urban port committed to developing sea-related activities
With this ambition, the Port Olímpic continues working to create the first hub of blue-economy companies in the city around the Moll de Mestral quay and the Dic de Recer sea wall, where work is underway to transform approximately 50 venues to host businesses.
At the same time, the Municipal Sailing Centre is being renovated according to efficiency, sustainability and accessibility criteria with the goal of increasing its services and activities to make them available to the general public.
Similarly, the Port Olímpic is working to strengthen the nautical community in its facilities and to promote or support new regattas, nautical gatherings and marine outreach activities.
The Port Olímpic will also play an important role during the America’s Cup in 2024, hosting the youth and women’s regattas, which will take place for the first time in the Cup’s history.
