The Hong Kong Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (HKCYIA) and the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) have joined hands in organizing a new course - Diploma in Cruise Operations (DCO) - to meet with the increasing demand for professionals in the booming global cruise industry.
The six-month course is designed to equip students with knowledge and competences in cruise operations which fulfil the training requirements of the Hong Kong Marine Department and the STCW[1][1] Code to serve on board luxurious cruise ships.
According to Kara Yeung, HKCYIA Executive Director, Hong Kong is one of Asia’s leading cruising hubs, where there are enormous career prospects for graduates with opportunities of working in different departments and positions on cruise ships, including front desks, program hosts and tour operators (cruise travels), etc. The seasonal nature of the cruise industry provides graduates with global eye-opening opportunities to visit different parts of the world, including popular cruise destinations in the Italy, Mediterranean, Australia, Shanghai and Japan.
DCO features extensive training on both ship and shore-based cruise operations taught by a veteran cruise industry practitioner and supported by leading international trainers, experienced operators and professionals of the industry. The course covers the mandatory STCW safety training for seafarers working onboard cruise ships, including personal survival techniques, first aid, security awareness, crisis and crowd management, human behavior, personal safety and social responsibilities, fire prevention, cruise operations and workplace practices.
Through HKCYIA's affiliations with leading global cruise brands like MSC Cruises, Costa, AIDA, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Disney Cruise Line etc., students can have direct access to latest employment information and opportunities.
The course, which has been included in the Engineering Training Subsidy Scheme (ETSS) with reference EG423702P, is now open for application until July 13, 2019. The first class will commence on August 12, 2019. Although the tuition fee of this course is $2,840.00, successful ETSS applicants are eligible for a 60% tuition fee refund; thus the resultant fee is $1,120.00.