For many young Bermudians, a first experience with Endeavour begins on the water: stepping aboard a sailboat, learning new skills and discovering confidence they never knew they had. For some, however, that first step becomes something much bigger.
Today, every member of Endeavour’s education team is a graduate of the organisation’s Maritime Career Springboard Programme. The students who once looked to instructors for guidance have become the instructors themselves, creating what executive director Jennifer Pitcher describes as one of the programme’s most meaningful achievements.
“We are most proud of this achievement because it represents the long-term impact of the programme,” she says. “Young people who once arrived as participants are now responsible for creating meaningful learning experiences for the next generation.”
Founded in 2015, Endeavour was built on the belief that Bermuda’s greatest natural resource—the ocean—could also become one of its greatest classrooms. Through sailing and hands-on experiential learning, the charity helps young people build confidence, resilience and practical skills while opening doors to careers they may never have considered. Since its inception, more than 9,000 young people have participated in Endeavour’s programmes.
One of its key initiatives is the Maritime Career Springboard Programme, a seven-week course delivered in partnership with The Bermuda College. Designed for Bermudians aged 16 to 25, it combines internationally recognised Royal Yachting Association qualifications with career development, industry exposure and practical experience, introducing young Bermudians to the many opportunities within Bermuda’s maritime sector.
The programme has produced remarkable results. More than 82 percent of graduates are now employed, and of those, 65 percent are working in the maritime industry, while others have continued into higher education and specialised training. Every participant reported improved job readiness and greater awareness of maritime career pathways.
But the statistics only tell part of the story. Osiris Buffonge-Hunt recently finished studying Marine Engineering at Falmouth Marine School in the UK after using the Springboard experience to explore the industry’s many possibilities. “The Springboard programme is a great way to explore various maritime careers to find a pathway that best suits you while earning qualifications to jumpstart your career,” he says.
For Adrian McPhee, now a Captain with Captain Kirk’s Coral Reef Adventures, the programme provided the foundation for a career on the water. “The Springboard programme is a good way to get a foot into the maritime industry to build your knowledge and skills to build and grow your career.”
T’ori Flood-Martin, who gained hands-on experience with PW Marine Bermuda and is now studying at the Marine Mechanics Institute in Florida, credits Springboard with helping participants “identify your career path, secure opportunities and scholarships, and better yourself.”
The programme’s influence extends even further. Siyon Paynter, now an intern with Endeavour and Waterstart, believes it is “perfect if you enjoy the ocean and want to find a way to do something you love and follow your passion.”
Their stories embody what Pitcher believes matters most. “What makes us most proud is not simply the number of graduates, but seeing the lasting impact the programme has created and watching young people recognise their own potential,” she says.
As Endeavour prepares to recruit its tenth Springboard cohort in 2027, it is celebrating far more than an anniversary. It is celebrating a decade of investing in Bermuda’s young people—and proving that with the right support, today’s students can become tomorrow’s captains, engineers, educators and leaders, inspiring the next generation to follow in their wake.
“When young people are given opportunities, they often become the people who create opportunities for others,” Pitcher says. “Our graduates are not only building successful careers—they are strengthening Bermuda’s community by becoming mentors, educators and leaders.”
Endeavour will host the tenth cohort of the Maritime Career Springboard Programme from January 11 to February 26, 2027. Eligible candidates must be Bermudian, aged 16 or older, able to commit to the full programme, and demonstrate a positive attitude with a strong willingness to learn.
Applications will be accepted until November 4, 2026, via email at education@endeavour.bm. Learn more about Endeavour’s programmes at www.endeavour.bm.
