How has the role of a Purser changed?

Whether you’re an aspiring Purser or you’re looking to recruit one, it’s crucial that we all understand this ever-evolving and very important role.

Since we first launched the Purser Course 15 years ago, the role of the Purser is barely recognisable. Now, taking in responsibilities across departments, many are thrown into the role without the proper skills, knowledge and support.

Here, we take a look at how the role has evolved and what steps we need to take to create happier, professionally-trained yacht professionals.

Plus, we’re currently offering two additional courses free of charge for every sign up to our Residential Purser Programme in September, October and November when you sign up before the end of August. Find out more below.

What is a purser?

The role of purser was traditionally the individual responsible for managing the administration, accounts and purchasing on board. Often, the Chief Stewardess who progressed up the interior chain of command into that position.

Today, the role has evolved to take in responsibilities across all departments, both on-board and land-based. With the new extensive list of guest services and operations, alongside complex crew operations, extended HR services and a growing list of hundreds of daily admin tasks to be tackled, many don’t have the varied skill set to deliver on all these tasks.

This single role title has changed so dramatically over the last 15 years and could become even more complex over the coming decade.

How have things changed?

Yachting now consists of a marketplace fast approaching 1000 large vessels (over 50m), extensive fleets operating in multiple oceans across the planet and a handful of new builds over 200m with crew numbers in their hundreds.

As with all rapid market growth, change brings its challenges. As we have seen the purser role morph, there is now a clear need for training these new skill sets. Reaching out to a larger yet more refined demographic and funnelling specialist professional crew into these new roles.

A skills shortage

With fewer highly qualified professional crews that possess the knowledge, training, and experience to do the job properly, we are facing HR challenges as the job market grows.

We see ever-younger crew on deck, in the bridge and in the interior in charge of 50+ crew and budgets that now far exceed what a mid-sized commercial business would have. Yet often this is managed by non-professionalised, uncertified, untrained crew members.

No legal entity or company would hand over their accounting to anyone unqualified, nor would they allow their HR to be managed by someone inexperienced and no industry should ever allow this growing problem to continue to go unchecked.

This is not the crew’s fault. It’s up to the industry as a whole to solve this problem.

What can we do?

We are asking all crew — across departments — to think hard about what skill they are lacking. Then, to take steps to fill those gaps by studying with us at The Crew Academy or at any other training establishment.

This could be: Accounting and Budgeting, Maritime Law, Destination Management and Event Planning, Human Resources, Contract Management, Recruitment, Mental Health, Leadership, Inventory Management, Safeguarding and dozens of other short-form skills.

A unique set of skills

Many crew members view this role simply as a step up or a rite of passage after having been a Chief Stewardess. When in fact, it is completely different and requires a unique person and a unique set of skills.

While many former chief stews thrive in this role, they often don't deal many of the tasks that sit within the remit of the pursers until they are in the hot seat. So, it shouldn’t be an automatic promotion into the role.

Often, this sets individuals up for failure as, in many cases, they don’t have the necessary qualifications nor expertise in the compliance, accounting, law and other extremely important parts of the role.

As vessels and crew numbers grow, it should be a department of its own. The titles that go with this department should also reflect the tasks being performed and should be open to anyone onboard the vessel to apply for including transferring from deck or bridge.

Get qualified

Our purser programmes provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive and progress in your career. Whether in-person or live-online, our IAMI GUEST accredited courses will teach you everything about the role, including operations, destination management, accounting and lots more.

Later this year and into 2024, The Crew Academy, IAMI & GUEST will be launching a new host of shorter courses that will complement the purser programmes and these will sit alongside their already growing course portfolio of professional qualifications.

Click here?to see the full list of dozens of programs on offer to you.

Visit the?GUEST website?and feel free to call any of the team at?The Crew Academy?and?The Crew Hunter.

Special offer

To help supercharge your career, we are offering two additional free courses for residential Purser students.

All sign ups to our residential courses in September, October and November will receive a free Mental Health Awareness course AND a free HR, Recruitment, Retention course (worth ￡650).

Simply get in touch and quote this offer. Valid until the end of August (or while places last).