A UK-based cruise operator has hired some of the graduates of a local training program. Analysts say this is particularly good news for the local cruise industry, which has been suffering since Chinese vessels stopped making stops here. Mike Balfour has more in this report.

Report

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Jeju International Passenger Terminal

At the Jeju International Passenger Terminal a few young people are going through departure procedures to board the Worldwide Cruises’ Ocean Dream ferry.

They will board the ferry not as tourists, but as attendants. They look excited.

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Worldwide Cruises hires graduates of local training course

They have successfully completed a provincially sponsored cruise attendant training course organized by the Creativity Research Corporation.

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First Koreans hired by Worldwide Cruises

Some Koreans have been employed as cruise attendants for vessels that sail inside the Asian region, but these are the first Koreans hired by a real international cruise operator.

INTERVIEW
Shin So-hui / Training course participant
I actually had wanted to work at a hotel, but my dream changed because of the course. I studied more and tried to get a job in the cruise industry. I finally succeeded.
<인터뷰:신소희 크루즈전문인력 양성과정 2기>
"원래 호텔쪽으로 거의 취업을 생각했는데 실습 한번 통해서 아예 꿈을 바꾸게 됐죠. 그때부터 노력하고 공부하고 좋은 기회있어서 취업하게된 것 같습니다."

INTERVIEW
Jeong Yong-ho / Training course participant
We are the first people from this course to get work on international cruise ships. When I started the course I thought it might lead to some good opportunities, so that’s why I gave it a try.
<인터뷰:정용호 크루즈전문인력 양성과정 2기>
"저희가 첫 세대잖아요. 어떻게 보면 시작을 하면 나중에 미래를 위해 좋은 경험과 앞으로도 많은 기회가 있지 않을까해서 도전하게 됐습니다."

Worldwide Cruises also has high hopes for the new hirees.

As the cruise operator welcomes an increasing number of Korean tourists, Korean attendants are in higher demand.

INTERVIEW
Juan Aragon / Maritime Holdings Group
(Interview done in English)
<인터뷰:주안 아라곤 마리타임홀딩스그룹 호텔 메니저>
"사실 한국 고객들이 많지는 않습니다만 선원들 뿐 아니라 제주도 관계자 등 많은 열정을 봤기 때문에 앞으로 긍정적인 결과를 기대합니다."

Normally, cruise attendants attain their professional skills through training programs organized by cruise operators or other designated institutes.

Now, the province has succeeded in producing qualified manpower for international cruiselines with the island’s new program.

INTERVIEW
Yi Gi-u / Provincial dept. of marine industry
We’ve gained a foothold in cruise industry jobs. The island will increase support for programs that train employees for the vessels.
<인터뷰:이기우 제주도 해양산업과장>
"크루즈전문인력 양성과정을 통해 학생들을 배출했듯이 앞으로도 정책적인 지원을 활성화해서 더욱더 양성될 수 있도록 노력해 나가겠습니다."

About 100 Koreans are currently working as cruise attendants.

[Reporter] Mike Balfour
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

Along with the growth of the cruise industry, demand for Korean cruise attendants is on the rise.

The cruise industry is becoming a new source of opportunity for young islanders.

Mike Balfour, KCTV