Sir Clare Roberts Opens Yachting and Marine Expo, Urges Youth to Seize Opportunities
Acting on behalf of Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, His Excellency Sir Clare Roberts officially opened the Antigua and Barbuda Yachting and Marine Association’s (ABYMA) 4th Annual Discover Yachting & Marine Career Fair and Expo at the Antigua Yacht Club on Wednesday, calling it a vital link between aspiration and opportunity for young people across the country.
Delivering remarks to industry leaders, students, and exhibitors, Sir Clare highlighted the yachting sector’s importance as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most dynamic industries, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment, and entrepreneurship.
“Yachting is not just a luxury pastime; it is a serious driver of economic growth, employment, and entrepreneurship,” he said. “The Discover Yachting & Marine Career Fair offers something invaluable: a bridge between aspiration and opportunity.”
This year’s event features 20 exhibitors and a new career advice booth introduced by the ABYMA, where young people can engage directly with professionals offering résumé reviews, skills assessments, and career guidance. Sir Clare noted that the sector now embraces a wide range of transferable skills — from electricians and carpenters to chefs, event coordinators, and marine technicians — and urged youth to explore the growing opportunities.
He also praised institutions such as the National Sailing Academy and the Antigua Yacht Club for their role in training the next generation of maritime professionals, while emphasizing the need for greater inclusivity and continued investment in technical education.
“Industries thrive when they are inclusive,” he said. “That means ensuring our young women and men, from every community, can see themselves in this sector, whether on deck, in design, in logistics, or in management.”
Sir Clare also called attention to the environmental responsibilities that accompany the industry’s growth, describing stewardship as both ethical and economically essential.
“Environmental stewardship is not just good ethics; it is good economics,” he said, noting that the country’s success as a premier yachting destination depends on the health of its coastal ecosystems.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as limited dockage space, seasonal fluctuations, and the migration of skilled workers abroad, but expressed confidence that collaboration among government, the private sector, and training institutions can address these issues and build resilience within the maritime economy.
The Deputy Governor General concluded his address by encouraging students and jobseekers to make full use of the Expo’s opportunities.
“Opportunity does not lie only on land,” he said. “It sails on our seas.”
Sir Clare declared the 2025 Discover Yachting & Marine Career Fair and Expo officially open, congratulating the ABYMA for its leadership in advancing Antigua and Barbuda’s maritime sector and inspiring new horizons for national development.
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