Modern apprentices set sail to success
THE FIRST students to take up a new hospitality Modern Apprenticeship aimed at the merchant marine industry are about to embark on their new careers.
A partnership between City of Glasgow College and ferry operator CalMac, the nine successful MAs will now take up full time roles as stewards with the company. The yearlong MA Hospitality with Maritime Enhancements involved classroom learning mixed with training on board some of CalMac’s 32-strong fleet.
The concept was devised by CalMac to fill a particular requirement they had for staff that was not being met. CalMac managing director Martin Dorchester said: ‘Although many elements of the hospitality industry, like good customer service, are the same whether on land or afloat, our stewards need to do more than just look after our passengers’ comfort. They need to be trained in fire-fighting, first aid, rescue boat operations and other tasks vital for keeping passengers safe.
‘This new MA, the first of its kind in the UK, now ensures our crews get the best, most relevant training that’s available. We know this because we helped to design the course.’
As well as on-thejob training, the MAs are now all qualified in hospitality, maritime studies and elementary food hygiene.
Modern Apprentice Lisa Marie Parkinson from Oban said: ‘A Modern Apprenticeship gives the best of both worlds - on the job training and college qualifications, and that’s what attracted me to it. It’s a great first step towards building a long career and CalMac is a great company to start with.’