Immersive maritime careers program connects local students with Port leaders and partners to promote understanding of career opportunities across the maritime industry

Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Carol Craig poses with Junior Ambassador students prior to a harbor boat tour compliments of the Canaveral Harbor Pilots.
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority) 

The Canaveral Port Authority Junior Ambassadors Program opened today with 17 students from nine local high schools spending a full day at Port Canaveral participating in conversations and hands-on experiences with Port partners and staff. Today’s opening session marks the seventh year of the Port’s Junior Ambassadors program, designed as an immersive career development initiative that provides Brevard County high school students with an up-close look at the maritime industry to promote career opportunities and workforce development in the Port District community.

During the day-long session the Junior Ambassadors met with Port leadership, including Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Carol Craig, then embarked on a landside port tour highlighting cruise and cargo operations, and environmental practices ending with a waterside harbor tour hosted by the Canaveral Harbor Pilots Association. 

“The Junior Ambassadors program has a tremendous impact on participants and serves a perfect example of the Port’s commitment to our community as we support the next generation of maritime leaders,” said Canaveral Port Authority Board Chairman Jerry Allender.  “We are looking forward to another productive and successful year with our Junior Ambassadors as we help to guide their future careers and reinforce the importance of the maritime industry in Brevard County.”

The 2026-27 Junior Ambassadors convened at Port Canaveral’s Maritime Center 
for a kick-off event for this year’s program.
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Today was the first of four quarterly sessions throughout the 2026-27 school year, each focusing on a different facet of the maritime industry.  During the sessions, students will engage with Port leaders and partners across key business sectors, including cruise operations, cargo logistics, military partnerships, recreation, aerospace, commercial fishing, construction and environmental stewardship, to learn more about the diverse operations within Florida’s premier seaport. Students are encouraged to share their experiences with their peers, teachers and administrators, amplifying the program’s reach and impact.

Students selected for the program undergo a comprehensive application and evaluation process with this year’s participants representing nine Brevard County high schools: Astronaut High School, Cocoa High School, Cocoa Beach High School, Edgewood High School, Holy Trinity High School, Melbourne Central Catholic High School, Merritt Island High School, Titusville High School and Viera High School.

Members of Port Canaveral’s 2026-27 Junior Ambassadors program join Canaveral Port Authority Commissioner Carol Craig on a tour of Canaveral Harbor.
(Credit: Canaveral Port Authority)

Since the program was established, approximately 100 Brevard County high school students have participated in the Junior Ambassadors program with many going on to pursue post-secondary study in maritime, port operations and hospitality professions to secure job opportunities within related fields.