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Recruitment in the superyacht industry
Juliet Benning at the Crew Report investigates the recruitment forecast for the year ahead
The buzz is coming back to the Mediterranean as the yachts start heading back for the summer season. Things are picking up in Palma and Antibes as the recruitment process gathers momentum. But how is the market? Are there many jobs available and who is landing them? The Crew Report went in search of answers.
Deborah Blazy from the Crew Placement Division at Camper & Nicholson International says that since February a steady trickle of crew has been coming through their doors. More hopeful crew candidates are starting to fly into Antibes and the company expect a big influx towards the end of March. Erica Lay of YCO Crew says that the company is resuming relationships with experienced crew who are looking for a change and has observed that the numbers of crew registering with them is similar to last year.
It is no surprise that all the agents we contacted are seeing the usual high levels of green crew attempting to find work in what is becoming an ever-popular industry. Erica Lay forecasts that this year will see slightly fewer green crew than last year; “Last year the numbers of new crew arriving in Palma and Antibes were unprecedented, with queues outside crew agencies and yachts putting signs on their passarelles saying 'NO JOBS AVAILABLE'. This year we anticipate less of an inundation and more of a steady flow.”
But which crewmembers are achieving employment? Deborah Blazy explains; “The crew who are finding work are as always the ones with a good level of qualifications and several seasons of experience in the industry.” Many crew who were unsuccessful in their job hunt have now up-skilled contributing to a more talented crew pool from which to employ.
As Blazy describes; “Experienced crew have definitely used the slowness of the past season to push forwards with additional modules and higher tickets.” Blazy advises that deckhands are more likely to get hired if they have a Yachtmaster. Erica Lay also notes; “It seems that many crew who were unable to secure a position last year took the time to complete courses, the number of new OOWs across the industry demonstrates that.
Crew have realized that with the level of competition they need to expand and develop their skill sets and qualifications and many have spent the past few months doing so.” Marcy Laturno recognises that for some crew spending money on qualifications might not be the right move and that a certificate is no guarantee for placement: “We encourage crew to upgrade their licensing only if it's right for their career path rather than being over certified when coming back into the employment pool.”
Blazy is expecting a rosier future for crew opportunities: “If the start of 2010 is any indication of the state of the industry we are forecasting much more activity this year. The industry will still remain competitive for the foreseeable future.” Erica Lay makes a similar prediction.
“So far we've had a huge number of new jobs hit the books, as it's still early days and many of the Med based vessels haven´t come out of hibernation yet we think we'll see more. Jobs will remain competitive but we're hopeful that the summer 2010 season in the Med is much busier and more profitable than last year for everyone.” On SuperyachtJobs.com we have seen a surge in website traffic as more jobs are posted and more visitors log on.
Blazy says that most opportunities will arise in the senior deck and engineering sectors: “Crew have to invest much of their time and money to work towards their certificates and many give up along the way. The more junior roles will generally have a broad selection of candidates but the higher ranks will still see a shortage of quality crew to choose from."
Erica Lay says they have seen a huge number of new jobs hit the books and are expecting to see more once the Mediterranean yachts come out of hibernation.
e start of 2010 is any indication of the state of the industry we are forecasting much more activity this year. The industry will still remain competitive for the foreseeable future.” Erica Lay makes a similar prediction.
