Talent must not only be identified but also fostered: We support our employees in continually developing their own potential and knowledge. In 2011, 4,264 employees on land and on board took part in a training or continuing education program. We want to increase the personal development rate to 75 percent in 2012.
From January 2012 our main venue for training, continuing education and study is the AIDA Academy in the heart of downtown Rostock. By integrating the European Cruise Academy, we are bringing together all training and study activities and all training programs under one roof. We are also expanding our in-house simulation center in the new complex. As part of the Deck & Engine refresher training program, for instance, right from the start our employees undertake complex and comprehensive engine room exercises, using facilities such as the Siemens simulator system. From summer 2012 we will be adding a bridge simulator on which our captains as well as our nautical and technical officers can practice maritime maneuvers and safety drills at regular intervals.
An overview of our various training and continuing education activities, average duration of training, and the number of training days is provided in the following table.
We advocate that our employees continue to develop themselves on an ongoing basis so that their ability to perform their duties grows with us. Thus our in-house Academy offers not only cruise-specific training and courses for our trainees and students, but also provides demanding continuing education programs for our employees. The courses, which last several days, are designed specially by AIDA based on the latest teaching methods. They are under constant development further and are delivered by in-house specialists or by the company’s partners from the sectors of teaching and industry. In addition to specialist workshops, the programs also include training sequences and simulator exercises, because this is the only way we can prepare our employees practically for the actual demands of modern cruise ship life.
This also means that different professional groups receive different training, as the demands made of our employees are highly complex. While our nautical and technical officers ensure smooth and safe ship operations, our officers in the Guest area are responsible for providing excellent service quality and guest care. Therefore we have broken down our continuing education program into two different areas: Deck & Engine and Guest Services. We even differentiate further within these two areas, based on an individual’s specific duties. Thus during the Deck & Engine refresher course, for example, the focus differs for nautical officers, technical officers and compliance officers.
All courses have one thing in common for all target groups, however: HESS (Health and Hygiene, Environment, Safety and Security) training is paramount.
Our employees can access the “AIDA Expert” web-based learning system around the clock from anywhere in the world. Employees can register independently and learn at their own pace, according to their own needs. In addition to standard MS Office modules, the training catalog includes learning modules for occupational health and safety, and for technical and for soft-skills. In order to make our online training as realistic as possible, we are also continually developing AIDA-specific programs that are precisely tailored to the different job specifications on board. In March 2012 we are planning to introduce a test at the of our HESS training. And so that our employees can adapt as quickly as possible to their international living and working environment, we also offer them language courses. In 2012 we will be expanding AIDA Expert further still, with courses such as Bar Product Training, or German for Dealing with Guests.
