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The Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme provides hands-on training and maritime career exposure for Bermudian youth aged 16 and older. Since 2018, 83 young Bermudians have completed the programme, with over 70% now employed, many in the maritime sector and continuing their education and training. A key goal of the programme is to connect young Bermudians with maritime professionals, helping them expand their network and gain insight into various maritime career paths including training and education requirements.
From January 6th to February 21st, eight Bermudians aged 16 to 23, including three females and five males, completed the seven-week programme, held Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, with occasional weekends.
Six participants balanced academics during the programme: two were from CedarBridge Academy, one from The Berkeley Institute, two from the Adult Education School, and one home school student. Two high school graduates working in the maritime sector also participated.
Five participants previously sailed through Endeavour’s STEAM Education through Sailing Programme, with four completing Endeavour’s Graduate Programme. Three received leadership training in Endeavour’s Assistant Instructor Programme and volunteered to support sailors in the Endeavour Graduate Programme.
One hundred percent of the 2025 cohort reported an increased awareness of maritime opportunities and felt better prepared for working in the maritime industry after completing the programme.
17-year-old Tegan Gannon-Trott stated, “My understanding and knowledge of the maritime industry has massively increased because before I only knew about sailing and now I know about many different maritime opportunities.”
21-year-old James Correia shared, “I found the Endeavour Maritime Springboard Programme beneficial because I made connections and found career opportunities that I’m interested in. I had a lot of fun but I also learned a lot.”
Kim Raymond, Endeavour’s Community Engagement Coordinator stated, “The maritime industry offers countless career opportunities, from sailmaking and marine mechanics to ocean technology, search and rescue, sail instruction and more. We’re honoured to partner with Bermuda’s marine organisations to offer hands-on training, mentorship, and career support for Bermudian youth. Together, with your support we are inspiring the next generation of Bermudian maritime professionals.”
Heartfelt thanks to all the organisations and professionals who supported the 2025 Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme:
Jah-Shon Smith, Endeavour’s Programme Coordinator and a [2021] Endeavour Springboard Graduate shared, “The Department of Marine & Ports Services career day was engaging and informative, showcasing the wide range of roles within the Department. I enjoyed the tugboat engine room tour, starting up a tug boat engine, and also driving the ferry was really cool. Hearing about the career paths of the staff was inspiring and relatable.”
Phoebe Barboza-Bellamy, Program Director at Waterstart said, “Waterstart and Endeavour have built a strong and valuable partnership over the past few years, particularly through the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme. When Springboarders join us at Waterstart, they experience firsthand what it’s like to work for a charity that introduces students, sometimes for the first time, to the water, while also broadening their understanding of careers in scuba diving, environmental science, and sustainability.
They gain insight into the challenges of working on the water, managing an island classroom, and engaging in restoration efforts—all while discovering what makes this work so rewarding. These opportunities provide invaluable hands-on learning and help strengthen and sustain Bermuda’s marine career pathways for the future.”
Olivia Reilly, Endeavour’s Operations Manager explained, “The hands-on training offers opportunities for Bermudian youth to earn internationally-recognised qualifications, providing a foundation of maritime knowledge and skills which are transferable through many career pathways while giving exposure to new opportunities or areas of interest in the maritime industry.”
Endeavour holds the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accreditation which enables the charity to offer courses including:
One hundred percent of the 2025 cohort reported they benefited from hands-on training, peer mentoring, and diverse learning opportunities, which enhanced their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Participants also learned resume best practices and created action plans for their job search and career planning through interactive workshops toward preparing them for future success.
During the final week of the programme, three participants were successful in achieving the RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification, and four participants gained hands-on experience through job shadowing with our marine partners. Special thanks to the Bermuda Coast Guard, PW Marine, K.S. Watersports, Waterstart, and Endeavour’s Maintenance Technician Ian Morrell for facilitating rewarding job shadowing opportunities.
17-year-old CedarBridge Academy student T’ori Flood-Martin said, “I have improved my presentation and communication skills during the Springboard Programme. During my work shadowing experience with PW Marine I enjoyed learning about the various roles including the retail store, workshop, and going off site where we checked things on different boats at marinas and boatyards.”
18-year old Aidan Defrias shared, “My understanding of the maritime industry has increased because now I see all the opportunities that I didn’t know about before the programme. I enjoyed spending time with the Bermuda Coast Guard getting an understanding of what I may be doing in the future. It was an awesome experience I won’t ever forget. During my work shadowing experiences I enjoyed going out on the water and learning about the different opportunities that Waterstart and the Bermuda Coast Guard have to offer. It really made such a big impact on my future career choices.”
Karen Smith, Bermuda College APACE Coordinator said, “Bermuda College is committed to providing immersive learning experiences that empower students with practical skills and industry knowledge. Through our partnership with Endeavour, we are proud to support a programme that not only builds maritime expertise but also aligns with our mission to offer diverse, career-focused education that meets the evolving needs of our community.”
Jennifer Pitcher, Endeavour’s Executive Director stated, “We are proud of each Endeavour Maritime Springboard Graduate and inspired by their achievements. Their successes are a result of their hard work and determination, along with support from their coaches, mentors, teachers and families who supported their participation. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Special thanks to The Bermuda College, The Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy for their incredible partnership.
Endeavour’s work is made possible by the generous support of our donors and partners. We are deeply grateful for the support of lead partner Orbis Investments, along with donors including Arch Capital Group Ltd., PwC Bermuda, and the Centennial Bermuda Foundation. Special thanks to Teekay Tankers Ltd. and Bermuda International Shipping Limited for supporting the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme, as well as Nicole Butterworth who donated her time and expertise to facilitate the Royal Yachting Association First Aid Course.”
The next dates for the Endeavour Maritime Career Springboard Programme are Monday, January 12th through Friday, February 27th, 2026. Candidates must be Bermudian, 16 and older, be able to commit for the duration of the programme, and have a positive attitude and strong willingness to learn. Applications will be accepted until November 4, 2025 via email to .
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