Stuart Loxton, CEO – Superyacht Training Academy sat down with Pippa Hudson on Wednesday 11 January 2023 on the ‘Lunch with Pippa Hudson’ show on Cape Talk, to discuss the Superyacht Industry. Listen below
Here are some key moments from their discussion:
“As the Superyacht industry is exploding, we had to refocus our energy towards understanding the employment demand for new crew in the industry.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“The purpose of any business is to solve problems for others. The problem we are solving is: ‘How does one get on to superyachts and land a job?”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“We are very passionate of the high conversion rate of our students who come through our establishment: receiving our training and then landing a full time position within 6 weeks of completing their qualifications with us. Statistically we are way over 90% and we are very proud of that.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“Some people are finishing school, some university, some are questioning their careers… We are here to say: Let us facilitate that discussion around employment in the industry for you.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“We take guidance from the industry, and the industry is telling us that crew development and placement is crucial.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“I am very proud to say that as South Africans we are doing a lot more right than wrong in comparison to other institutions around the world, and as a result South African crew on superyachts are prolific. By and large our crew that were placed through crew agencies overseas do fantastic work.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“The job opportunities will only exist as the amount of new boats being built and enter the marketplace.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“In 2022 alone, 1024 new vessels were in the market being built by the various shipyards. There are 186 shipyards that are building Superyachts around the world. Last year there were 40 144m of new boats being built… So, If you put the boats from end-to-toe from Cape Town, you’d get to Stellenbosch.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“Everyone of these new boats needs a captain, a deckhand, a chef, a stewardess. There was a crew shortage of 3000 crew last year.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“A South African passport is not an obstacle to getting employment. We facilitate the VISA application process.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
“We don’t expect you to have any qualifications. But – the most successful people in this industry are the ones that bring bundles of attitude. We will help develop the aptitude.”
Stuart Loxton – CEO Superyacht Training Academy
If you are considering any role on board a Superyacht and would like to find out more information, reach out to us via email at courses@superyachttrainingacademy.com or call us on +27 21 418 4074