Metropolitan College’s Maritime & Superyacht Academy at the 2nd Olympic Yacht Show

Μetropolitan College participated in the International Shipping Exhibition Posidonia, hosting the 4th International Conference on Maritime Education.

Tips for succeeding in a yacht job interview by Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy.

Metropolitan College supported as a Sponsor one of the major events of the shipping industry.

Participating in the biggest and most luxurious events of the sea tourism sector, Metropolitan College’s Superyacht Academy supports the Olympic Yacht Show as a Premium Educational Partner. This show is organized by ONDECK EVENTS in cooperation with the Olympic Marine and is the only one with a clear orientation in the premium category, as well as in the Mega Yachts.

Olympic Yacht Show is going to host the biggest yachting companies both in the land and in the floating department, capturing the interest of the national and international yachting sector. More particularly, 60–70 luxury yachts, new models over 200,000 € will be exhibited and more than 100 nautical institutions, deckyards and shipyards will be present.

The Olympic Yacht Show 2021 takes place at the renovated facilities of Olympic Marine in one of the leading and well-organized marinas in the whole Mediterranean.

Despite the pandemic situation and the restriction measures, yachting remains a field that keeps flourishing and offering new job opportunities and perspectives. Captain George Parissis, Superyacht Academy Development Advisor and Trainer is sharing valuable information and career tips. He is also explaining yachting’s reliability, resilience and growth rate through this unprecedented situation.

What makes Yachting one of the most attractive and career friendly fields of the Greek job market?

The importance of experienced crews in the Yachting industry, like in any professional field, is very high. However, the truth is that nowadays experience alone is not enough. Therefore, someone equipped with comprehensive and integrated knowledge of yachting is a strong candidate in the job market. The career opportunities that can occur are better and more interesting in all aspects.

Apart from being qualified, which soft skills are (considered to be) significant for a successful career path in this industry?

No matter the position on board, most yacht owners are looking for someone who is capable to think as a passenger and professional on the same time, a mentality that Metropolitan College’s Superyacht Academy imparts to its candidates. And of course leadership, always leadership! While skills such as creativity, communication skills, a growth driven mindset, emotional intelligence and collaboration-teamworking can make you a great yacht crew member, leadership skills will elevate you even further.

According to you, what makes Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy training courses stand out?

Benefits are multiple. Crew members have a training experience that leads to their professional and personal development. Furthermore, they gain the kind of knowledge that strengthens their hard and soft skills, including the ones i previously mentioned, too. I think that Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy training programmes are a “must” for every professional who wants to be considered “special”.

More specifically, hοw the G.U.E.S.T. training programme could boost a crew member’s career in the yachting industry?

The G.U.E.S.T. programme is an asset for the Interior Yacht Crew! Being the only programme accredited by IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions), it provides the standards of training required in the yachting industry and establishes a solid progressive career path for the crew members. The trainees benefit from high-level knowledge and they enhance their skills. Additionally, they improve the quality of hospitality services they provide and ensure exceptional onboard experience for both owners and guests. For all the captains, brokers, management companies and owners all over the world, the G.U.E.S.T. certification it is considered to be a synonym of excellence in respect of the abilities and competencies the trained crew members bring to their role onboard. In other words, it is a prerequisite!

How the corona virus pandemic affected the yachting industry and what’s your prediction for the future?

Almost every industry either has, currently is or will be affected somehow by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The future of the yacht chartering could be changed after this pandemic and there could be a much higher need for refundable bookings and added clauses in contracts. On the positive side, we could see an increase of interest of private charters over group charters or cruise holidays once things come back to normal. We are a highly resilient industry and I feel very confident that we will recover.

What would you advise the professionals or the new entries of the industry to achieve their professional goals?

I strongly recommend that captains and crews leap at the opportunity that arose from the Covid-19 pandemic and rush! Rush to brush up their CVs, rush to improve their skills and their visibility, rush to be ready for when things kick off again! Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy courses are here to transform any threat to opportunity!

What is working on a yacht like and how to figure out if it is appropriate for you.

Fresh air and sun light throughout the day, travelling around the world in the most idyllic landscapes, elite experiences, direct contact with nature, happy people and positive vibes by the sea. It may seem like a scene of an imaginary life but it is part of the reality while working on a yacht or a superyacht.

Undoubtedly, the yachting sector is one of the most appealing and fascinating jobs anyone could ever imagine to work in. And also challenging, since the requirements for future professionals are many in order to meet the clientele’s demands.

Whether you examine if you could actually make a living as a Yacht/Superyacht Professional or think making a career shift in your life, this article will briefly explain to you why thousands of people choose to work on board.

Travelling around the world

It’s not a secret that superyachts travel to some of the most exotic and stunning destinations in the world. This means that, while sailing, you will also be able to see great places and tick them off your travel list. It will not always be easy to enjoy and explore them to the fullest but you’ll certainly find yourself in destinations that you may never have travelled to otherwise.

Building strong, lifetime friendships

Colleagues are often the people with whom you spend most of your day. On a yacht you are surrounded by them 24 hours a day, seven days a week and probably plan your days off together. Given that most of times you have the same aspirations and experiences, it’s very likely you’ll find people you really get on with. Besides that, away from home the need for communication and connection is much stronger. It is not uncommon for fellow crew partners to built intimate relationships, become long-lasting friends (or even partners).

Of course, as with any job, there are also downfalls. Some days work can be a lot harder and demanding. Additionally, living away from home and missing your own family might also be stressful. Weighing up positive and negative aspects, will help you determine if yachting sector is good for you.

In any case, welcome aboard!

Why Metropolitan College Superyacht Academy is the starting point for your yachting career

Located in the centre of Piraeus in an 11-floor modern campus with first class facilities, the Superyacht Academy of Metropolitan College offers yacht officers and crew training programmes of the highest standards. The purpose of all introductory programmes is to create a deep understanding of how the yachting industry works, which are its main principles and attitudes depending on the position and to provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills that will enable them to succeed in an industry that is both demanding and competitive. Successful completion of each programme leads to internationally recognised certification that allow participants to pursue their career globally.

Supporting ideas and initiatives delivered by young entrepreneurs related to the Greek Shipping sector, Metropolitan College sponsored “YES to Shipping Forum 2020”. Additionally, Metropolitan College was represented by Capt. George Tsouris, Professor of Metropolitan College’s Maritime Academy who was one of the Forum speakers.

“YES to Shipping Forum 2020” , themed “Young Generation of Greece in an open dialogue with the representatives of the Greek Maritime Cluster”, was held virtually, in the context of Posidonia Web Forums Week. Aiming to help and promote the next generation of the Greek Shipping Industry, prominent members of the Greek Maritime Cluster (principal executives from the whole spectrum of the maritime cluster, prestigious academics, representatives of Μinistries, Μerchant Μarine Academies and Shipping Organisations), exchanged views and opinions, shared valuable experiences, advices, examples, knowledge, suggestions and useful insights. Talks and discussions raised an open dialogue among principals, executives and university students, recent graduates and young executives who wish to pursue a career or already working in Shipping.

Additionally, during ‘YES to Shipping Forum 2020“, were presented the results of the YES FORUM research. The research recorded young generation’s views towards the demands and expectations the shipping industry has on them.

It is worth mentioning that Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of European Commission, Ioannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Shipping & Insular Policy and Niki Kerameus, Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, addressed remarks to the esteemed guests and opened the Forum.

A few words about YES to Shipping Forum
YES Forum is the platform of open dialogue in the Greek Shipping and Sea Tourism Industry among principals, executives and university students, recent graduates and young executives that takes place under the auspices of the Ministries of Shipping, Education, Tourism and the majority of the Greek Universities. YES Forum mission is to create the next generation of Shipping by passing knowledge, experience and shipping history, identify the generation gap and bridge it, as well as, to arise networking opportunities and skills for young people exercising in practice by becoming acquainted with the Posidonia Exhibitions and the spectrum of Shipping Industry.

This year’s SAFETY4SEA Awards ceremony was held virtually and the winners were announced at a special virtual event. It is worth reminding that the awards focus exclusively on initiatives and individuals who foster Safety Excellence & Sustainable Shipping, following a combination of open nomination and audience-vote.

In this context, Kongsberg Digital company received the SAFETY4SEA Training Award 2020 by Metropolitan College
for the development of its K-Sim Fishery simulator. Kongsberg Digital is a technology driven Norwegian company that was founded towards the provision of software and digital solutions to companies within the merchant navy, the petroleum industry, the renewable energy and utilities industry. Its recent development was created to meet the needs of the fishing industry with a specially adapted training system that, complying at the same time with STCW’s training requirements, DNV GL’s certification standards and UN’s Sustainability Goal number 14.

Mr Romanos Rodopoulos, Head of Maritime Academy and Member of Metropolitan College’s Board, represented the College and awarded Kongsberg Digital. He congratulated the winners for their significant contribution to the digitalisation of the maritime education. He also underlined Maritime’s Academy vision for a technology driven education system along with the use of software and digital solutions.

“At Metropolitan College we have a vision for Maritime Education in Greece. We strongly believe that our country could play a critical role in this sector, by developing into an international maritime training hub. Towards this vision, the use of next generation software and digital solutions in the educational process is definitely a valuable ally. And this is one of the reasons we are delighted and honored to present this award, which recognizes the contribution of Kongsberg Digital to the technological evolution of maritime education. Kongsberg Digital has been nominated for the development of its K-Sim Fishery simulator to meet the needs of the fishing industry with a specially adapted training system”, he mentioned during his short speech as the Award’s Sponsor.

It is worth saying that Metropolitan College’s Maritime Academy received the SAFETY4SEA Training Award, last year, at the 2019 SAFETY4SEA Awards, for delivering high quality Maritime Education programmes in partnership with the world-leading, 70-year-old Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering of Solent University in Southampton.