Cruise sector diversity scheme sets sail for growth
A scheme designed to boost diversity and social mobility in the cruise sector is set to grow by a school a year following a successful pilot scheme.
Mundy Cruising owner Edwina Lonsdale set up The Compass Project last year with the aim of highlighting the variety of land-based roles available in cruise.
Having originally run the pilot scheme with 11 Year 12 students from St John Bosco College in Battersea, this year’s scheme has launched with 23 students taking part with Itchen Sixth Form College in Southampton providing another 12 students. The remaining 11 students will come from St John Bosco College.
And now Lonsdale is keen to see a new school join the scheme every year, with partaking students able to get first-hand advice from some of the original pioneers of the scheme.
Lonsdale said: “Every year we will have a bigger intake in order to meet the growing number of interested students.
“Then, as the students end their education and start their careers in cruising, they will act as mentors to the next intake.”
She added since the scheme takes place in year 12, she is also looking at ways to keep students interested in the cruise industry as they complete the second year of their A-levels.
This year’s scheme started at the end of April and will see students make three ship visits, to P&O Cruises’ Britannia, MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa vessel and Silver Spirit from the Silversea Cruises fleet as well as time in various UK offices of cruise firms to learn the wide range of industry roles available.
Place diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of your business
Join us for a full-day conference with honest case studies and practical advice from across travel and outside the industry, to help you start your journey, grow your knowledge and be inspired to drive change in your organisation and foster a winning culture.
Returning to the Kimpton Fitzroy, London
Agents and partners get to talk business together during one-to-one morning meetings at Luxpo, before diving into the latest luxury, travel and consumer trends in our half-day conference, the TTG Luxury Travel Summit.
Luxpo is free to attend for agents – apply for a place here
Final tickets are available for the Summit – get yours here
Recommended For You
Most read features
Competitions
Upcoming events
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
