Just over 200 South Africans had secured jobs with MSC Cruises to work on its cruise liners in both local waters and worldwide following the company’s first concerted recruitment drive in the country.
|||Just over 200 South Africans had secured jobs with MSC Cruises to work on its cruise liners in both local waters and worldwide after the company’s first concerted recruitment drive in the country.
Speaking in Durban last week, Neil Palomba, the global chief operations officer of the Italian-based cruise company, said it had received a great response, with more than 600 applications.
In March, the company announced the South African recruitment campaign, which Palomba said was part of MSC Cruises’ commitment to growing the maritime and cruise tourism industry in the country. The cruise line division forms part of maritime giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which is reported to be the biggest user of South Africa’s ports.
“Our recruitment programme will continue, but we are happy with the response we’ve received following our announcement in March… This initiative is part of our efforts to play a more active role in job creation and skills development in the South African cruise sector through hiring local South Africans for both land-based and on-board positions.
“Positions on board include guest services, buffet attendants, room service attendants, waiters and waitresses, shore excursion hosts, shop assistants, casino dealers, as well as housekeeping staff… MSC Cruises have to date received over 600 applications, conducted around 300 interviews and have seen numerous of these applicants for a second-round skills tests.
“Interviews were conducted across Durban, Joburg and Cape Town. Skype interviews were also done with those in inaccessible areas or those who were not able to make the allocated dates. Interviews are ongoing,” Palomba added.
The company had originally said it would open up 80 to 100 positions for South Africans as part of the initial phase of the recruitment programme, but has increased them. Successful candidates were undergoing the relevant medical tests before starting their standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers training courses in Durban.
“This is not just a once-off plan… I came to Durban to meet some of the people selected to work on board our ships both in local and international waters. We were looking for candidates who had some sort of hospitality industry experience and those who were willing to be away from home for an extended period, working mostly at sea. We were impressed by the quality of many of the applicants,” Palomba added.
Zihle Mnyandu, a 23-year-old recruit from uMlazi, said she was excited to get the opportunity to work aboard MSC Cruises’ liners.
“I used to work as a ground staff assistant at the N-shed cruise terminal in Durban, but now I am getting the opportunity work on international cruises. It is going to be an amazing career opportunity. I can work and explore the world at the same time,” she said.
Palomba said MSC Cruises wanted to play a more significant role in development the industry, through not just skills development, but also Durban’s planned new cruise passenger terminal.