Marine & Maritime Careers for Young People

Explore the marine & maritime industry, offering unique opportunities for teamwork, problem-solving, and adventure. Roles support local economies and environmental stewardship.

This kind of work is usually hands-on and practical, guided by rules, standards or policy and seasonal or varied in its hours. It can suit you if you like work that has a clear purpose, gives you room to grow, and connects your strengths to real tasks.

1. 1.Explore your strengths.

Think about whether you prefer creating, making, fixing, analysing, organising, supporting people or working with technology.

1. 2.Research realistic pathways.

Look at apprenticeships, college courses, traineeships, volunteering, entry-level vacancies and local employers.

1. 3.Build evidence.

Use school, college, work, volunteering or personal projects to show what you can already do.

1. 4.Learn the language of the sector.

Read job descriptions, follow current developments and notice the skills employers mention repeatedly.

1. 5.Apply before you feel perfect.

Employers do not expect beginners to know everything — they look for potential, reliability and willingness to learn.

Where people often start

Look for roles in ports, logistics, shipbuilding, marine engineering, offshore operations, vessel support, safety and environmental work. Coastal and port employers can offer practical entry routes.

Where it can lead

Marine and maritime work is connected to the sea, ships, ports, offshore industries and marine engineering. Roles can include vessel operations, logistics, shipbuilding, safety, environmental work, maintenance, customer service and port operations. With experience, you may move into specialist, supervisory, management, consultancy or leadership work depending on the pathway you choose.

What employers value

Helpful skills include technical confidence, adaptability, understanding rules and standards, resilience and solving problems. You do not need to be perfect at all of them straight away — these are strengths you can build through projects, volunteering, part-time work, courses, apprenticeships or simply practising.

Helpful skills include technical confidence, adaptability, understanding rules and standards, resilience and solving problems. You do not need to be perfect at all of them straight away — these are strengths you can build through projects, volunteering, part-time work, courses, apprenticeships or simply practising.

• Technical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Resilience
• Adaptability

You do not need to be a finished expert to belong in marine & maritime. Start with curiosity, build evidence through small experiences and explore the pathway that fits how you work best.