The Hong Kong Cruise Academy, a member of the Hong Kong Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (HKCYIA), and the Hong Kong Cruise Services Academy announced that they are joining together to meet demand for skilled workers with Hong Kong’s first diploma program in Cruise Services and Hospitality Management, according to a press release.

Kara Yeung, Executive Director of HKCA, and Sunny Ng, School Manager and CEO of HKCSA, signed an agreement to officially launch the program in September.

This one-year program will equip students with all of the skills and knowledge they need for a successful career the cruise industry, the group said.

Students will learn cruise operations, get an overview of the tourism industry, learn customer services, foreign languages, standards of training and other vocational and management skills.

n addition, this is the first diploma program in Hong Kong that includes the Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

In addition to the classroom knowledge, student will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training with a variety of internship opportunities including ground services at the terminal, commercial yacht management, and onboard various ships. Partners include MSC, Costa and Carnival.

The group said there is an extensive job referral network in place to help graduates start their careers in the industry.