FED up with British winters? How about a job sailing around the world’s glitziest beach resorts?
Thanks to the hit reality show Below Deck, interest in yacht crew jobs is at an all-time high.
Hit reality show Below Deck has sparked an interest in yacht crew jobs
Isobelle Oram was an accountant but after three years in a desk job she re-skilled as a superyacht stewardess
The TV programme chronicles the lives of the crew members who live and work aboard a yacht during charter season.
Although the destinations are glamorous, the role is incredibly hard work, with some shifts lasting up to 20 hours to meet A-list guests’ demands.
But the pay can be good too, with stewards and stewardesses earning up to £4,000 a month.
While 2022 was already a record year for new crew registrations, there has been a 15 per cent rise in the number of Brits registering to work on yachts this year.
Around 5,200 UK nationals are employed full-time in the industry.
Isobelle Oram, from Leeds, was an accountant but after three years in a desk job she re-skilled as a superyacht stewardess.
Isobelle, 26, said: "I’d been to the south of France on holiday and met deckhands and stewardesses from superyachts, so I did some research back in the UK. I felt that the skills I’d learnt were transferable — I was used to a professional environment, I knew how to build trust with clients and could handle money and budgeting.
"My plan is to work my way up to chief steward or purser. I would say to others, get experience in things you’ve always wanted to do, even if they’re beyond your comfort zone."
To meet demand, the UK Sailing Academy has launched an enhanced Superyacht Stewardess and Steward course, which will provide highly trained entry-level crew.
The five-week programme has been designed by maritime experts and will see students equipped with the skills, and advised of the attitudes expected, on seven-star vessels.
The course includes the "five golden pillars" of yacht service excellence, personal presentation and etiquette skills, housekeeping and attention to detail, table management and flower arranging, professional laundry duties and an introduction to food and beverage service on board a yacht.
Funding is available to ensure courses are diverse and accessible, with 80 per cent of students being helped with fees on the last intake.
Five courses will run during 2024.
Find out more at tinyurl.com/3m355m3d.
Fibs just the job?
THREE in ten workers admit embellishing their CV, while one in 20 has filled it with outright lies.
Exaggerated responsibilities were the biggest whoppers, used by a third of fibbers, while 30 per cent fabricated experience in a job.
Nineteen per cent upped their GCSE grades and 16 per cent invented skills.
But a quarter of those who had lied on their CV had been caught out – with seven per cent challenged during their interview.
Caitlin MacLean, from research agency Perspectus Global, which carried out the study, said: "It is surprising that so many people fib in their CVs, exaggerating their skills and experience and even making up roles."
Be a high iFlyer
REACH for the sky with a career at iFLY.
The indoor skydive attraction is hiring instructors for its venues around the UK.
Indoor skydive attraction iFLY is hiring instructors for its venues around the UK
Hayley Baldwin, who works at the iFLY at The Bear Grylls Adventure, in Birmingham, spends more than 400 hours a year in the air.
She said: "I prefer being in the air to being on the ground. I absolutely love being a teacher at The Bear Grylls Adventure. It’s an amazing job and lets me pursue my passion in the workplace."
Find our more at iflyworld.co.uk/careers/andbeargryllsadventure.com/about/jobs/.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/money/dunelm-cuts-prices-on-1000-products-to-help-customers-through-winter/
