Empowering Green Crew: Nurturing Talent in the Yachting Industry

Posted October 12, 2023 by Ashleigh King

This season, as with previous years, we’ve witnessed a steady influx of enthusiastic green crew, each donning their smart polo shirts and meticulously crafted CVs, ready to embark on their yachting careers. It’s heartening to see their enthusiasm, but it’s also apparent that they face new challenges in breaking into the industry. In the past, Heads of Departments (HODs) welcomed and preferred hiring green crew, and this practice often resulted in great success. Chalet chefs, skilled trade engineers, and even former airline cabin crew transitioned seamlessly into the world of yachting. However, recent years have seen a shift towards a more cautious approach, where only crew members with a full season of experience are considered.

We wonder if the change is due to HODs feeling pressed for time, making it difficult to allocate resources for training new crew members. Or perhaps there are reservations about taking chances on them. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has faced a shortage of crew looking to enter, and this presents an excellent opportunity to support and provide opportunities for green crew members.

This year, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting some extraordinary green crew members and successfully placing several of them on their first yachts. This positive experience begs the question: How can we further nurture green crew? On vessels of approximately 40 meters in size, with a well-sized crew, there’s a fantastic opportunity for mentorship and a strong commitment to training and guiding these aspiring crew members.

Green crew embarking on their yachting adventures bring with them an abundance of enthusiasm, eagerness, and a strong determination to make a positive impression while working diligently. This enthusiasm and dedication should be celebrated and harnessed to the fullest. It’s clear that there’s enormous potential for these individuals to excel in the yachting industry, and we are fully supportive of their journey.

Our Crew Services Team is committed to bridging the gap and ensuring that green crew members have the best opportunities to kickstart their careers in the yachting industry. We’re here to assist, provide guidance, and connect these passionate individuals with the right vessels and mentorship. Together, we can make sure green crew find their rightful place in the industry and embark on a journey filled with success and fulfillment.

With our presence established in the key yachting hubs worldwide, we stand ready to address all your crew-related requirements. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated N&J Crew team members today!

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