APM Terminals’ commitment to teens and communities

Investing in the terminals of the future means that we are also creating opportunities for future generations at APM Terminals. Providing young people with the means to learn, grow and envision a brighter future is a common thread at our terminals around the world.

Through various initiatives, APM Terminals works to empower teens in our communities with inspiring real-world experiences in the heart of our terminals and offices. Here's a roundup of just a few of our activities across the globe – in the US, India, the Netherlands, Africa and Panama – showcasing our dedication to youth and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Well-considered career choices

Earlier this year, APM Terminals partnered with the PROED youth leadership program which empowers high school seniors with leadership and technology skills.

A recipient of the UNESCO 2024 Global Literacy Prize, PROED champions the youth of today, providing opportunities for them to thrive. As part of the program in our Panama office, Dalys Saavedra and Gilberto Briones welcomed students from three local schools: Centro Educativo de Artes Diversificadas, Academia Bilingüe de Panama para el Futuro and Colegio José Antonio Remón Cantera. The visit included a tour of our facilities and engaging sessions with APM Terminals leaders who shared their career journeys and inspiration.

Eric Pérez, a student participant, said the event was an eye-opener. “I was impressed by the advanced technology and automation involved in terminal operations. It's a blend of technical expertise and strategic management. I am now inspired to consider a career here.”

Students also presented their own work, showcasing their creativity and commitment to making a positive impact. Their work ranged from a substance abuse prevention campaign to a nature conservation initiative.

Martin Saavedra, a teacher at Colegio Remón Cantera, said “our students were able to see how professionals work towards client satisfaction and operational excellence. The visit explained a lot about multimodal logistics and highlighted the growth opportunities in this field.”

Female futures

In Los Angeles, APM Terminals has collaborated with Girls Inc. Los Angeles, a foundation dedicated to empowering girls and young women from ages 5 to 18 from underserved communities. With a focus on helping girls overcome systemic challenges to achieve their full potential, the organization is a natural fit for the terminal which, as in all our locations, seeks to redress the imbalance of female representation.

“I know from my own experience that I – and the women I work with – are empowered and valued in our work. And we'd love nothing more than to see more women pursue their careers with us and achieve their dreams. Currently, APM Terminals Los Angeles, Pier 400 is in its first year of collaborating with Girls Inc., and it has been an ‘awesome experience’,” according to our Key Client Director Landside, Ashley Esparza.

“So far, we have attended the LA Girls Rise event, we took part in a Back to School supply drive for 540 students in Watts, California, and our female leaders recently attended the Women’s Leadership Breakfast,” Esparza says. On the horizon are STEM-focused events and events showcasing all things supply chain with the Girls of Los Angeles.

No longer a male preserve

Also firmly focused on talent – not gender – are our colleagues in Nigeria, where APM Terminals Apapa earlier this year collaborated with Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) to host secondary school students at a career seminar as part of efforts to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals.

The training provided young female students with knowledge of export procedures and an in-depth understanding of the supply chain.

Omolara Olatunbosun, Senior people business partner at APM Terminals Apapa, explains that the programme is of great importance to the terminal due to its focus on encouraging young women. “It is focused on the girl child. As a business, we support the growth of women, hence our mentoring programme for our female employees. We have also recruited women into roles previously held by men, and we hope to kindle the interest of the girl child in this sector,” she said.

Lean into learning

It's no secret that APM Terminals has instilled business best practices in our terminals through Lean business methodologies. This commitment to the principles and the results achieved sparked the idea that our colleagues might not be the only people who could benefit from the learnings.

This was the starting point for the 'Lean for Teens' activation events held at APM Terminals Mumbai, at APM Terminals headquarters in the Hague and at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam.

In the Hague, as in Rotterdam and Mumbai, more than 20 teens ranging from 13 to 19 spent a day devoted to learning effective problem-solving, understanding root-cause analysis and continuous improvement, and exploring concepts such as waste elimination, standardisation processes and the 5S methodology.

Ariadna Tercero said the training helped her learn about better habits and problem-solving. “I now see how working smarter, not harder, can make a big difference,” she said. The success of the initiative has prompted plans for similar events at numerous regional offices to benefit community members of all ages.

Speaking to students at the Lean for Teens event in October in the Hague, APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen emphasized the company's commitment to empowering those we care about most – our children – by providing them with a day filled with learning and insights.

“We are driven by the belief that fundamental problem-solving is not just a job skill but a life necessity,” Svendsen stated. “By sharing a few important lessons and principles we aim to inspire and equip our young people with valuable skills and a bit more confidence.”

He continued, “Investing time in those who matter most is one of the greatest ways to pay it forward. By inspiring and equipping the next generation with useful tools, we not only prepare them for the future but also have fun doing it.”

The events around the world underscored APM Terminals' dedication to fostering growth and innovation among youth, highlighting the importance of engaging with the next generation to build a better tomorrow.