After training, young talent aims for cruise ships

Two college students from Taiwan are ready to get their seafarer certificates approved by mainland maritime authorities and then seek internships on luxury cruise ships, after completing a training program for international cruise talent in Xiamen, Fujian province, in early June.

The program, the first pilot project to train young cruise professionals from Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, was organized by universities from both sides. It included classes such as professional English, fire prevention and suppression, survival at sea, basic first-aid treatment, personal safety and responsibility and passenger ship operation and management.

Students from Taiwan took theory courses online and practiced operations in Xiamen.

One of the Taiwan students, surnamed Lee, said there was a lot to learn during the training and hoped working on a cruise would allow her to see the world.

Wei Dong, deputy director of the crew management office of the Xiamen maritime safety administration, said the program is expected to bring more young power to the mainland cruise ship market and present more job opportunities to Taiwan compatriots.