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 Cal- Mac’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.