To attend the program, the participants must have completed the so-called Windjammer-program where they spend a month at sea on board SS Christian Radich. Here they get to develop and challenge themselves and discover their strengths. Prior experience shows that 5-10% of the youths develop an interest in working at sea, which has formed the background for this course.

Throughout the year, the foundation hopes to conduct two courses of eight participants in each. They will stay on board SS Christian Radich for four months, which corresponds to six months of approved sailing time. They will go through a safety course which is required to get the approvals needed to work on board. While on board, they will also learn about discipline, responsibility and how to relate to other people, in addition to basic seamanship, HSE and regulations.

Siem Offshore hires two participants
The first course starts up this month, and after the course is completed, Siem Offshore will hire two of the participants as extra crew on two of our vessels. Here they will get the training needed to become certified as ordinary seamen.

"We have an extensive experience in employing apprentices and developing our employees, and as there is a great demand for more seafarers, we see a great value in hiring former Windjammers and carry out further training for them", says Tore Lillestø, Chief Operations Officer in Siem Offshore.  

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The Christian Radich Foundation also wishes to form partnership with other shipping companies to be able to offer young people a job to go to after the program is over. Siem Offshore encourages other companies to follow suit and enter a partnership with the foundation on this program.

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