Class of Year 5 students explore career opportunities at Cruise Liverpool with surprise visit on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis

A class of Year 5 pupils set foot on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis with Cruise Liverpool as part of The Johnson Foundation’s My Big Future – a work experience initiative designed to inspire the next generation.

Last Friday, 26 children from Christ Church Primary School in Birkenhead, Wirral, were invited to spend the day at Cruise Liverpool, with a surprise VIP tour on Borealis to explore the range of opportunities and careers available on board.

Each pupil created their own CV and undertook a mock job interview at Cruise Liverpool before enjoying a tour of the ship, a light show and talks from the Fleet Entertainment Technical Manager, the Executive Chef and Sous Chef alongside members of Cruise Liverpool’s team.

Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruises Lines, said:

“As a business that places a huge amount of importance on supporting local communities, we are proud to have supported The Johnson Foundation’s My Big Future programme – a phenomenal way of helping to support and develop local communities.

“We love embracing projects like these to inspire the next generation with the variety of career options available in the maritime and cruise industry. There are so many opportunities to grow, develop and lead fulfilling careers across the sector. We truly hope to have inspired some of these bright young minds about what can be available in their own futures.”

The Johnson Foundation was established by Wirral businessman and philanthropist Peter Johnson in 1987, to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the Liverpool City Region and has since raised more than £10million for charitable causes in the area.

Alex Mills, Education Coordinator at The Johnson Foundation, said:

“Our 'My Big Future' programme wouldn't and couldn't exist without forward thinking businesses and organisations such as Cruise Liverpool and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Their unwavering support, dedication and open mindedness has been astounding from the start. They truly understand and are just as passionate as us about inspiring little minds and raising aspirations from a young age. Some of the children in our visiting group come from particularly deprived/disadvantaged areas – some from families where two or three generations maybe haven't gone to work.

“The My Big Future programme as a whole, focuses on changing that particular mindset, encouraging every child to dream big from a young age and believe in their own potential. The visit has been an amazing catalyst for that, they've seen for themselves how much of an incredible industry the cruise and maritime sector really is and the endless opportunities it offers – whether they want to be a Cruise Ship Captain, Entertainer, Chef, Stevedore or Port Manager. It really has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children and one I know they'll never forget – careers inspiration at its very best.”

Cruise Liverpool, established in 2007, oversees Liverpool Cruise Terminal, owned and operated by Liverpool City Council. They undertake a series of partnership deals with local schools and voluntary organisations in helping to open the eyes of schoolchildren, as well as young adults with learning disabilities, to job opportunities in the cruise sector and a range of other industries.

John Mawer, Head of Cruise Operations at Cruise Liverpool, said:

“Cruise Liverpool facilitates over 115 cruise vessels each year, bringing over 220,000 guests into the heart of the city we love. Community is central to all that we do, we offer a sense of place, a home-from-home for our staff and visiting guests.

“We know there’s so much we can offer to young people who are maybe unsure about their future or who need that little bit of extra encouragement and belief, to think that a career in the cruise industry is within their reach. That’s why we’re engaging in our partnership programmes, to remove any perceived barriers to working in cruise and help young people to achieve their goals.”

For more information on The Johnson Foundation, visit: thejohnsonfoundation.co.uk and for more information on Cruise Liverpool visit www.cruise-liverpool.com