Silversea announced that it has established a new leadership training academy aimed at recruiting and developing talent to join its expedition teams.

According to Silversea, the multi-phase training initiative begins with remote skills development through webinar sessions focusing on various aspects of working as a Silversea expedition guide including life at sea, and guest relations.

“Our new leadership training academy underscores our commitment to exploring the world with the absolute best team of hand-picked experts to guide and enlighten our guests on expeditions,” said Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s vice president of expedition planning & strategic development. “The goal is to attract candidates who are knowledgeable and passionate, and prepare them for an exciting career working aboard a ship that will take them to amazing places where they will guide our guests in understanding the local history, culture and wildlife.”

Practical experience will deal with the fundamentals of boat handling, first aid, and safety at sea courses and certification. Participants will be invited to train for approximately six  weeks aboard the newly refurbished Silver Cloud when the ship joins the expedition fleet in mid-November for her first season in Antarctica.

Aboard Silver Cloud, core competencies will be further developed through intensive hands-on training, the company said.

Attention will also be given to cross training in various academic disciplines, environmental and ecological knowledge, sustainability protocols and cultural sensitivity as well as further skills development which includes boat handling, practical field first aid, and “how to guide” training. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced expedition staff as well as additional educators that will be traveling on board the vessel.

After successfully completing a tiered system of increasing responsibility, participants will have the opportunity to work the balance of the Antarctic season as members of the expedition team and, ultimately, on expedition voyages to other regions of the world.