The Yacht Club de Monaco will host the first edition of its Yachting Student Fair on March 21, opening a new initiative designed to introduce young people to professional opportunities across the maritime sector as part of its broader “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting” programme.
Running from 10:00 to 17:00, the free event will welcome middle-school pupils, secondary students, university attendees and recent graduates for a day of presentations, demonstrations and networking sessions aimed at revealing career paths that organizers say are often overlooked despite offering strong technical, creative and international prospects.
Training institutions, maritime authorities and industry professionals will present study routes ranging from vocational diplomas to master’s degrees. Participants will include the Marine Nationale and other specialist academies, whilst port-sector professions will be represented by organizations such as the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco. Experts from across the field will outline roles spanning engineering, yacht management, hospitality, design and marine technology.
The event is also intended to provide practical guidance, with advisors on hand to help families navigate higher-education options, financing solutions and training pathways. Organisers say the aim is to help young attendees match their ambitions with real-world opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships and first job placements.
Visitors will be able to tour several vessels moored in the marina and meet explorers and sailors such as navigator Patrick Deixonne and adventurer Luc Hardy, who will discuss careers that blend science, exploration and maritime expertise.
The fair will host events devoted to exploration and environmental engagement organised with The Explorers Club. The programme will feature themed sessions on exploration yachts, ocean science and the evolving responsibilities of captains, before concluding with the Explorer Awards ceremony chaired by Richard Wiese, recognizing initiatives that use yachts as platforms for research and innovation.
By launching the series with a youth-focused gathering, organizers say Monaco is underscoring its commitment to shaping the future of yachting through education, skills development and the engagement of the next generation.