You know those Chief Officers or Chief Stews that you've worked with before, they've been in the industry for YEARS, DECADES. They can do their job with their eyes closed, and they've been on the same boat for the last 10 years. However, when they move boats, change from private to charter or change owners, it leaves them very unsure. Suddenly the world they were super confident in, changes completely, and they feel like a greenie again.
When confidence takes a hit: the surprising challenge of change
Listen, we've all been there. Whether you're a second stew eyeing that chief position but feeling like an imposter, or a junior wondering if you'll ever master the art of latte art (beyond that accidental blob that sort of looks like a heart if you squint), there's one lifeboat that can rescue us all: upskilling.
The secret weapon: upskilling
There are so many academies in the yachting sphere, and there are both some great in-person academies, and great online academies that you could choose from! Want to master Russian tea service? There's a course for that. Need leadership skills to command your department without sounding like a dictator (FYI there's more than the authoritative style around—shocking, I know)? There's training for that too. Event management, mental health first aid, flower arranging that would make Mother Nature jealous, you name it, someone's teaching it. Many of these courses come with the coveted GUEST certification, think of it as the Michelin star of stew education. And yes, you can even get your own Certificate of Competency (CoC), just like those officers who are always banging on about theirs!
Upskilling is great, you can never know everything, and it shows how committed you are to your career. You can also take these skills home with you or even out of the industry. Leadership skills or accounting skills are excellent transferrable skills for if you wanted to leave the industry. Let's face it, knowing how to manage high-maintenance guests translates perfectly to handling difficult clients in literally any other profession on earth.
Where to train: online, onboard, or in-person
When choosing where to upskill, remember: you want instructors who've actually lived the yacht life. A few standouts include:
In-Academy Training School: NZ Superyacht Academy
Not only will you graduate bursting with knowledge, but you'll have a blast doing it. One recent graduate told me it was the most fun she's had while learning about such an epic industry.
Online Courses: The Yacht Stew Academy
Run by ex-chief stews, owned by the one and only Yacht Stew Gemma herself, who offers both education and mentorship. Their platform blends videos, text, and practical assignments that you can access anywhere. Their membership program even lets you watch step-by-step masterclasses of how to do everything, so when the boss suddenly asks for a foreign cocktail you've never heard of at 11pm, you can whack a masterclass on the side & bob's your uncle! Crisis averted faster than you can say "no problem."
Onboard Courses: Kim Woodey
Kim comes to you! She'll assess your current procedures and tailor training specifically to your vessel's needs. It's like having a yacht fairy godmother temporarily join your crew. Sadly, she doesn't clean bilges with a wave of her wand, but her knowledge is the next best thing.
Tailored training for every rank
Junior stews can dive into housekeeping fundamentals, barista workshops, or floristry basics. Seniors can explore wine expertise, table styling mastery, or interior operations. Those in management positions can choose from leadership courses that'll make you realise there are more leadership styles than there are ways to fold a napkin!
Learning on your terms (and on your yacht’s budget)
The great thing about online courses is you can do these from wherever, so when you want to do that surf camp in Bali, you can pair it with doing an interior management course. Nothing says "productive vacation" like learning about conflict resolution while nursing your surfing bruises! The best thing about courses is, a lot of the time, the yacht you work on will either pay for it entirely or at least contribute, so it's a big win-win! Free education AND you look incredibly professional for suggesting it. Chef's kiss.
Keep moving, keep learning
The beauty of these skills? They're portable. If you ever decide to swap the seven seas for solid ground, skills like leadership, accounting, or event management travel are great transferrable skills that you can take to land!
Remember, in the yachting world, standing still is the same as drifting backward. With your CrewPass approval in hand and a commitment to continuous learning, there's no destination you can't reach!
