Elevating Yacht Interior Training – A Trainer’s Perspective

Kim, you’ve had a diverse career in yachting. Can you tell us about your journey into interior crew training?

After spending nine years in the yachting business, I was fortunate to be able to convert back to training, combining all that I had learned onboard with my teaching skills. Becoming a trainer and being GUEST-accredited meant that I could work alongside the professionals of our industry in delivering high-quality training to the yacht team members, either onboard the yacht or online. I now put my focus on the interior team members, who already have one to two seasons under their belts, in training them to feel more comfortable, to almost enjoy, as they say, what they do.

What sets your training apart from others in the industry?

Many trainers are not like me; they do not come from a professional teaching background. I have spent five years teaching before venturing into the yachting world. My teaching has largely been with adults, and this population predominantly makes up yacht crew members. I really understand the learning needs of this group. They have a variety of experiences and knowledge to bring to the table, and I create a very safe and supportive environment where they can question and make mistakes without penalty. Who amongst us has not needed a safe space like this in which to learn?

But I do expect a lot from them. I ask for participation. I push the shy ones, and I keep the overly eager ones under control. When all is said and done, I did expect quite a bit from my crew, and I normally got results.

How do you approach teaching and training your students?

I believe that theory can be combined with practical exercises to sustain engagement and maximise retention. The average attention span for learning is somewhere around 30 to 40 minutes, so I make sure to change lesson formats frequently. For instance, right after I’ve discussed a service style, we immediately put it into practice. Quizzes and interactive discussions ensure the students are not only engaged but also confident in just-in-time, operationally relevant learning. I hope that they make their mistakes in training rather than with guests onboard.

You mentioned that some crew members don’t realise the value of formal training. What’s your perspective on that?

One of the biggest training challenges stems from the false belief that, once one has gained some initial experience, they no longer needs formal training. Yes, hands-on experience is worth its weight in gold. But it is structured training that - and this may take some of us by surprise - really identifies and corrects inefficiencies, bad habits, and insufficient or incorrect knowledge.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us today, Kim. It is very clear that you are really passionate about training and developing the crew members in your company. We are proud to spotlight you as an industry pioneer.

“The opportunity to share my experiences has been a pleasure. I am excited to keep aspiring and mentoring interior crew members in their professional and personal growth!”