»» International powerhouse Maersk has a long history of developing human capital, but what is it doing in Angola within its varied operations to create a sustainable employee base for itself and to offer opportunities to young Angolans? How is Maersk fostering up-skilling, professional advancement and the provision of opportunities for locals?

To find out, we spent time in Cape Town and Luanda with cadets from Maersk Supply Service who are training to become vessel captains, supplying food and equipment to oil rigs and other marine operations on the high seas. It’s exciting times for 21-year-old Luandan cadet, Dario Timoteo, and his best friend, Mac, who are set to take on the world under the tutelage of Maersk.

Then we travel north to Soyo, Angola, to learn about seafarers employed at Maersk’s Svitzer tug-boat base. After months of training on a tall-sail vessel off the shores of Europe, the Soyo seafarers are now back in Angola and putting their skills to the test in local waters. How are they doing and what are their dreams for the future?

Finally, we explore Maersk’s MITAS post-graduate professional development programme which mentors young professionals. Luzana Costa is a 26-year-old scarily smart Angolan geologist working for Maersk Oil in Luanda and, we think, set to become Secretary-General of the United Nations one day. Stand back world, Luzana has arrived.

This youthful story is about identifying and developing potential on land and at sea. It illustrates what’s possible when determination, talent and corporate partnership combine for a mutually beneficial sustainable future.