Few Americans think of working at sea but they would be ideal for purser jobs since they understand the mentality of US travelers, according to Paolo Benassi of Maritime Holdings Group in North Miami, who oversaw the curriculum's development in partnership with the University of California-Riverside (UCR).
'There is a perception in this country that working on board is for foreigners. It's a wrong perception. You find people from 50 countries among the crew. You can understand different cultures. It is a cultural opening to the world,' Benassi told Seatrade Cruise News.
Holding such a course at sea enables students to understand what the life and duties are like. Experiencing the ship as passengers do is particularly valuable for anyone considering work as a purser, and there will be opportunities to shadow managers and supervisors on the job.
The theoretical part of the course will be conducted in a classroom format by professional trainers under the guidance of teachers from UCR.
UCR has a long tradition of combining theoretical classes with on-the-job experience for hospitality positions and understands that the growth of the cruise industry requires the preparation of qualified shipboard personnel, Benassi said. The course is certified by UCR and its teachers will be on board to ensure the program meets their strict requirements. A certificate will be issued for successful completion of the course.
The curriculum includes an introduction to the cruise industry and topics like living and working on board, dealing with the guest; administration, accounting and purser office organization; the front office, ship clearance (customs and immigration formalities), accounting and financial procedures, crew administration and on-board revenues/shore excursions.
In addition to the classroom work, Benassi has arranged with Norwegian Cruise Line to have students shadow some managers and supervisors. Having worked at sea for many years, he's sensitive to not interfering with operations.
Successfully completing the program will enable participants to be interviewed by cruise line representatives in view to start a career as a junior officer in the fields of purser, accounting and/or administration management.
The fact that people take a training program does not guarantee they're going to be employed, Benassi cautioned. However, this course gives students the opportunity to be in contact with shipboard management. In addition, they'll have chances for jobs on the ships that Maritime Holdings Group operates. The company has worked with numerous lines and currently manages the Peace Boat.
The need for skilled shipboard workers is intense. Today's largest cruise vessels carry more than 6,000 passengers and 1,500 or 2,000 crew, and the newbuild orderbook is at a record level.
The cost of the purser's training program, including the cruise in a shared passenger cabin, all educational materials and the certificate, is $2,500. Not included are airfare to/from Miami and any personal expenses.
For years Maritime Holdings Group has created training programs for different shipboard jobs in association with schools around the world, including in Indonesia, the Philippines and Europe. Benassi estimates he's developed about 50 cruise-related courses, with each class limited to about 20 to 25 students to ensure interaction.
'I don't like to lecture,' Benassi said. 'It's important to have personal contact ... You're training adults. You have to connect to their own working activity so they understand.'
Training is a favorite aspect of his job. It gives Benassi pleasure to help people learn and start their careers.
'I like the cruise business. It's a great business. Particularly for young people, it's fantastic. You can travel and work for five years then start a business.'
Benassi has served as adjunct professor in food management at Johnson & Wales University's South Florida campus and in hospitality and tourism at Florida Atlantic University. Earlier, he worked as vp hotel operations at Costa Cruises for many years, and has organized and conducted food sanitation programs for lines including Pullmantur, Silversea Cruises and Star Clippers. He also created an entry-level hospitality training program for a shipboard hospitality school in Haiti.
He holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Genoa. His own hospitality training included a culinary course at Roger Vergé's École du Moulin in Cannes, a catering course at HCITB College in Wembley (UK) and a beverage seminar at the School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University.
Information on the shipboard purser, accounting and administration course aboard Norwegian Escape is at www.maritimeholdingsgroup.com.
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