Inspiring the Next Generation: MTCP & Maritime Solent Bring Maritime Futures to Cantell School

The Maritime and Transport Careers Programme (MTCP), in partnership with Maritime Solent, recently delivered an energising and highly impactful careers assembly to the entire Year 9 cohort at Cantell School in Southampton. This collaborative event formed part of the school’s wider Careers Week and showcased the breadth of opportunity within one of the region’s most economically significant sectors.

The session was co‑delivered by and Katie Bruce (MTCP) and Lorna Wagner (Programme Manager, Maritime Solent), to a packed hall of 260 enthusiastic 13‑ and 14‑year‑olds. Who were so engaged and asked some great questions, a clear sign of their growing curiosity about the world of maritime and transport.

Southampton and the wider Solent region are home to world‑leading maritime employers, from logistics and shipping to cruise operations, engineering, and port technology. It is easy for young people to grow up near these industries without understanding the scale and variety of career opportunities on their doorstep.

The assembly helped bring these careers to life, showing that roles in maritime are not confined to jobs at sea, but span everything from digital innovation and environmental science to engineering, law, customer operations, and supply‑chain management.

For many students, Year 9 is a pivotal moment as they begin thinking about GCSE option choices and future pathways. Introducing them to real professionals, real stories, and real opportunities can have a lasting influence on their decisions.

The Maritime and Transport Careers Programme demonstrates how aligning industry expertise with school‑based careers learning can spark curiosity, challenge stereotypes, and give young people the confidence to imagine themselves in future careers they may never have considered.