New apprentice record: Sondre (18) is worth his weight in gold Coastal Industry

– What a wonderful feedback. I have been well received, and am enjoying myself on the ferry MS Raunefjord. A good working environment and good colleagues mean everything. I will stay here for a long time, says apprentice sailor Sonde Emil Moldestad (18) to Kystens Næringsliv.

Also read this positive news for the industry:

At any given time, there are 60–70 vacancies in the Fjord1 group. It is challenging to fill the positions.

The ferry company is not alone in fighting for professionals like Sondre Emil.

And the battle for young, but also experienced seamen, is only getting tougher and tougher.

But HR manager Øyvind Østrem, and head of the apprentice and cadet scheme in Fjord1, Camilla Nordal, can breathe a little easier now.

Something has happened in the last year.

New record

The shipping company is more popular with young people than ever before. In recent years, the number of apprentices has increased to around 60 a year.

Now the shipping company sees a strong increase.

– The battle for the youth is tough. But the good news for us is that we have never had so many apprentices before. A total of 90 apprentices are starting their education at Fjord1, says Østrem to Kystens Næringsliv.

These are sailors and marine engine mechanic apprentices. The majority come straight from traditional vocational education.

But the shipping company also takes in young people who do not fit into a normal education course.

– We want to give everyone a chance. That is why we also take on apprentices who may have a slightly different background. But they are often very motivated for seafaring life and are “practical and solution-oriented”, says Camilla Nordal.

Gold on deck and in engine room

Østrem adds that it is not a cliché that “the apprentices are the shipping company’s gold”.

– Without apprentices – no bright future for us. Of course they are worth their weight in gold. Now we must take good care of them, he says.

Even though they are experiencing a record number of apprentices now, it comes after years of good recruitment work, says the HR manager.

– Getting enough apprentices – and not least keeping them, is more important than ever. For several years, we have worked in a structured and targeted manner to get young people to join us. We attend educational fairs, school visits and are active on TikTok. It is now yielding results, says Østrem.

Sponsor education

The two Fjord1 employees are also happy that internal surveys in the shipping company show that the young people are enjoying themselves.

The majority who complete their apprenticeship with them stay.

– We organize an annual apprentice gathering over two days where we do fun things together and have professional gatherings with a focus on HSE. This is a good opportunity to present our company and forge closer ties with the apprentices, says Nordal.

But Fjord1 also offers scholarship solutions for those who want to further their education as naval officers.

– We have a scholarship scheme of NOK 50,000 per year for those who want to go on vocational training after completing their apprenticeship. Then they commit to us over an agreed period and get a cadet place with us. We need different professional groups on board, so we also support those who want to become chief engineers, helmsmen and navigators, says Østrem.

Dreaming of becoming a captain

Back at MS Raunefjord, apprentice sailor Sonde Emil is well underway with his work. He has a lot to do. Many of the tasks are the same as the slightly older colleagues, except for tasks that require certification.

The 18-year-old wants to take advantage of the scholarship scheme for Fjord1. He envisions a long career in the shipping company. The goal is to steer the ferry yourself.

– I have staked out the course. With the help of good support from Fjord1, I will go to vocational school. The goal is to work my way up from sailor to mate and captain. But it takes time. Right now I’m enjoying life as a sailor. It’s a wonderful job, he says and smiles.