Apprenticeship training as a “seaman for inland navigation” with secure job prospects and attractive promotion opportunities to become a captain will start at the beginning of April 2023. Applications are now possible.
Vienna (OTS/LCG) – There has always been a certain magic surrounding the captain’s profession. Similar to pilots, who are responsible for the lives of people in the high air and transport them safely from A to B, captains are the final authority on the ship. The experts at the wheel in inland shipping are in high demand and, like almost all specialists in the various sectors, are currently lacking. The future is promising, because the shipping industry in Austria is predicted to grow by 11.13 percent (CAGR 2023-2027). Around a million passengers and around twelve million goods travel the Danube every year. The DDSG Blue Danube is the most historic inland shipping company and the largest passenger shipping company in Austria and transports over 240,000 passengers a year. In addition to the charter business, the state-approved training company and Viennese top training company primarily offers scheduled and excursion trips on the Danube in the Vienna and Lower Austria area as well as connections to Bratislava (Slovakia).
“Anyone who enjoys dealing with people and enjoys working on the water is in good hands with us on board! As one of just 142 training companies that have been awarded the seal of quality for excellent training companies, we are pleased to enable the captains of tomorrow to find their way to the helmsmanship.”
says Managing Director Wolfgang Fischer.
Managing Director Wolfgang Hanreich added what to bring: “Sailors play an important role in the ship’s crew. This requires the ability to work in a team and reliability, because following all, a large ship cannot be steered alone. Basic technical understanding, weather resistance
and of course the joy and willingness to travel.”
The way to the coveted “four stripes”
In inland shipping, the career path leads from “seaman for inland shipping” through several stations to captain. The dual educational path is strongly linked to professional practice. Theoretical knowledge is acquired in the vocational school in the winter months, and practical experience is gained in the training company in the summer months. At the DDSG Blue Danube, the apprentices learn, among other things, how to get ships ready for launch, how to navigate them and help guide them, how to operate and maintain all ship technology on board and how to carry out maneuvering work, passenger management, the organization of operational processes as well as risk management and rescue measures. Anyone who has successfully completed the training and is already 21 years old can make their way to the coveted “4 stripes” on their uniform and collect driving days and miles in order to achieve “Captain” status. The course and examination costs for the additional training to become a captain are covered by the DDSG Blue Danube.
“The responsibility and the extraordinary environment have always appealed to me. In addition, the job is very varied and it never gets boring”
commented Stephanie Oberlechnercaptain of the DDSG Blue Danube.
The starting shot for applications has been given: desire for more female captains
Before the training begins, a multi-stage admissions process awaits those interested. This begins with a written test and continues over several days of practice on a fully operational ship, through a medical examination to the final interview with the training manager, the fleet captain.
DDSG Blue Danube Fleet Captain John Kammerer would like to see even more women who want to become captains: “Many would believe that the job involves great physical exertion. However, that is not true! Only three to four women apply for our apprenticeship tests each year. There’s still room for improvement there. Women often bring an extra portion of soft skills with them, which are particularly valuable when dealing with passengers or leading the ship’s crew!”
Further information on applications and training can be found online at ddsg-blue-danube.at/lehrlinge-ahoi or ddsg-blue-danube.at/lehre.
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Marlies Brenn
Tel.: +43664 8563003
mburn@leisure.at