UKSA reports 108 percent increase in students choosing superyacht hospitality course

Published 25/01/2022

UKSA has reported a 108 percent increase in the number of students choosing its Superyacht Hospitality training course in 2021 compared to 2019, with the average age of students reducing by nine years since 2015.

The Isle of Wight based charity, which provides life-enhancing water-based adventures, education, and world-leading maritime training, launched the hospitality course which was specially designed by industry experts 15 years ago, to meet the growing demand for well-trained professional crew onboard some of the world’s most luxurious yachts and sees an average of 80 percent of students secure a role within three months of completing their training.

UKSA saw a steady increase in the number of students taking part in the course up to and including 2020, despite the coronavirus pandemic, with 2022 places already 50 per cent full.

The training provider is also reporting a dramatic decrease in the average age of students for the course from 31 in 2015 to 22 in 2021, demonstrating that youngsters are deciding much earlier what career path they would like to follow and acting on it at an early age.

The Superyacht Hospitality course is a unique programme designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to work as a steward/stewardess in the fast-growing superyacht sector. Students will be trained by a highly experienced team to deliver exceptional levels of service and will leave fully appreciating the attention to detail expected onboard 7-star luxury vessels.

Chris Frisby, Director of Training and Operations at UKSA said: “The vast increase in those taking up our Superyacht Hospitality course is truly a reflection of young people opting for a more outdoor work-life since the pandemic started. We’re seeing students younger and more determined than ever to take control of their careers, choose alternatives to university and ultimately work towards a goal of seeing the world and this is a great opportunity to realise that dream.”

The course also sees students work with Ben and Holly Cooke and Kaya Simpson from the award-winning Little Gloster, where students will learn table management, cocktail making, housekeeping and laundry, floristry and wine appreciation. Other skills essential to onboard employment which students will learn include learning the departments of a yacht, the chain of command, standards of personal presentation, etiquette and behaviours, health and safety and life at sea. With an emphasis on going above and beyond industry expectations – setting the UKSA students apart from their international counterparts.

Holly Cooke of Little Gloster said: “We’ve been a part of the hospitality course at UKSA since September last year and the collaboration has been a great opportunity for us to share our knowledge of the luxury hospitality sector to students and show them how going the extra mile will make them stand out from the crowd in the competitive superyacht sector. The students we’ve worked with are passionate about a career on the water and enthusiastic to learn how to be the best, which is essential when working with high-end clientele, used to 7-star service.”