Namibians cruising for employment
MSC Cruises partners to recruit Namibians
NAMIBIA: Some 50 Namibians were recruited to join MSC Cruise ships during a workshop hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the cruise line in Walvis Bay this week.
The two-day workshop attracted approximately 200 hopeful candidates who joined the event in person while thousands more engaged with the content via a live Facebook feed.
According to NIPDB, 23 Namibian professionals are currently employed aboard MSC Cruise Line’s vessels, working in hospitality, operations, and technical roles. The Board has now officially partnered with the cruise line to promote these opportunities directly to young Namibians.
The current drive aims to secure placements for 200 eligible candidates in roles spanning hospitality, operations, and technical functions.
During the sessions, participants were introduced to the lifestyle on board cruise liners by those who are already working within the sector. They were also alerted to the qualifying requirements that include being over 18 and having a Grade 10 qualification.
One mandatory requirement, however, was seen as a major hurdle for a vast majority of candidates. The current recruitment drive calls for a language proficiency in German that not many Nambian youth possess. Asking for a B1 level of proficiency, candidates will have to prove that they are able to converse well enough in German to conduct conversations on familiar topics and give explanations.
The requirement sparked some pushback on social media with potentially interested Namibians questioning why it was necessary. Based on the answers provided, it would appear that MSC is recruiting for ships that operate primarily in a region that attracts mostly German guests.
“Alot of people walked in yesterday with the hopes of getting a job and making life better for themselves and family. People with years of experience and qualifications. Felt left like finding a job is a far-fetched opportunity, just because of a language barrier.”
“Alot of people walked in yesterday with the hopes of getting a job and making life better for themselves and family. People with years of experience and qualifications. Felt left like finding a job is a far-fetched opportunity, just because of a language barrier,” wrote one person online.
Those with an aptitude for learning languages may well be signing up for German courses to take advantage of the ongoing recruitment drive. According to NIPDB the drive will continue for the remainder of the year and answers to questions on Facebook indicate that a similar recruitment phase is scheduled for October.
PHOTO: Some 50 Namibians were recruited to join MSC Cruise ships during a workshop hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the cruise line in Walvis Bay this week. (Source: NIPDB Facebook page)
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