Navigating Success: Superyacht Industry Unveils Career Roadmaps With ’Raising The Bar’

The career maps, meticulously designed for every stage of a crew member’s journey, will empower individuals from their initial entry into the industry to their progression through the ranks. Each department’s career map has been thoughtfully crafted to offer an insightful overview of available pathways, complete with timelines that help set realistic expectations for career advancement.

Furthermore, these career maps include detailed summaries of the qualifications required at each stage, encompassing mandatory and recommended certifications. In alignment with the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) standards, these qualifications will undergo regular updates to reflect any changes in industry requirements.

The primary objective of this initiative is to encourage training schools and recruitment companies to share these career maps with prospective and existing crew members, showcasing the myriad of career possibilities within the superyacht industry. Senior crew members are encouraged to utilise these career maps as valuable mentoring tools to guide and inspire their junior counterparts.

Raising the Bar’s mission extends beyond career development. The initiative aspires to engage, inspire, and retain superyacht talent while collaborating with the Superyacht Alliance for Professional Standards to expand career opportunities.

The superyacht industry is evolving, and as it welcomes the next generation of crew members, it must adapt by providing enhanced support and managing expectations more effectively, both for guests and crew. The industry’s high turnover rates are a pressing concern, as highlighted in Impact Crew’s 2015 survey, which revealed that 78% and 69% of the junior interior and deck crew left their positions within 12 months. In contrast, average shoreside staff turnover rates range from 6% to 13%.

The costs associated with replacing crew and staff far exceed the tangible expenses of recruitment, including travel expenses and severance pay, often concealing additional hidden costs. This initiative acknowledges the incredible individuals the industry attracts and aims to retain them by addressing their reasons for departure, finding innovative solutions, and spreading the word about these improvements.

By retaining more ex-crew within the industry, the superyacht community can tap into a wealth of knowledge, experience, and understanding. This strategic approach aligns with Raising the Bar’s ultimate goal: Engaging, Inspiring, and Retaining Superyacht Talent.

To explore the career maps and take advantage of this valuable resource, please visit www.SuperyachtIndustryCareers.com. For inquiries about joining the Raising the Bar think tank, please get in touch with Karen Passman.

About Raising the Bar: Raising the Bar is a dynamic assembly of superyacht industry professionals who came together in February 2021 to form a forward-thinking think tank—their mission centres on identifying industry challenges and proposing innovative solutions for its enhancement.

Current members of the think tank include Bluewater, Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Crew Unlimited, Fraser Yachts, Hill Robinson, IAMI, Impact Crew, Isle of Man Ship Registry, Italian Yacht Masters, JPMA, Life After Yachting, MHG Insurance, MYBA, Northrop & Johnson, Ocean Independence, Purser Trainer, PYA (Professional Yachting Association), Reardon Yacht Consulting, The OM, Viking Recruitment, Watermark Yacht Management, Wilson Halligan, Yachtzoo, and YPI Crew.

If you are interested in advancing your career, you can find more detailed information about the steps required for each CoC here.