Shipping opportunity of a lifetime awaits two aspirant women

Wista launches mentorship programme AN INTERNATIONAL mentorship programme is to be launched by the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) in Durban in July. The project takes place over a six-month period, and will be available to women aged under 35 who aspire to a career in the SA shipping industry, according to WISTA project co-ordinator Keren Giladi. “They need not have any experience in the industry, or alternatively, could be employed in shipping in an entry level position,” she told FTW. “The two successful candidates will spend two months in Durban gaining an overview of shipping, familiarising them with aspects of the industry they may encounter while overseas such as ship ownership, shipping law, ship broking and shipping agencies.” In September, they will attend the WISTA conference in Rotterdam, after which they will complete the month in various offices there, and under the guidance of WISTA Netherlands president, Miekke Baker. This will be followed by a move to Norway in October, where they will be mentored by WISTA international treasurer, Tone Kristansen. In November one will work in London and the other in Germany - where they will continue to be under the supervision of WISTA members - returning to SA during the first weeks of December. Giladi added that fundraising was already in progress to ensure that the project could be repeated on an annual basis.