The Compass Project has completed its second year, successfully promoting diversity and inclusion within the cruise industry.
- Founded by Matthew and Edwina Lonsdale, this initiative is a collaboration with CLIA to educate young students about careers in travel and cruising.
- Twelve students from two colleges participated, experiencing seven off-site educational days supported by various cruise brands.
- Highlights included ship visits and conference attendance, enhancing students’ industry knowledge and presentation skills.
- The programme concluded with student presentations recommending cruise career opportunities to a professional audience.
The Compass Project, an initiative aimed at improving social mobility, diversity, and inclusivity within the cruise industry, has completed a successful second year. Created by Matthew and Edwina Lonsdale of Mundy Cruising in partnership with CLIA, this programme is designed to broaden the career horizons of sixth-form students hailing from diverse social backgrounds.
In this second iteration, the project involved twelve Year 12 students from St John Bosco College in Battersea and Itchen Sixth Form College in Southampton. Each student was either undertaking A-Levels or a comparable educational course. Over the course of two months, these students engaged in a variety of activities intended to bolster their understanding of the cruise industry while enhancing soft skills such as confidence and presentation abilities.
The educational journey included seven off-site days, heavily supported by partnered cruise brands and organisations. Students were exposed to a plethora of industry insights aimed at improving their career prospects. Among the highlights were visits to prominent cruise liners such as P&O Cruises’ Britannia, MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa, and Silversea’s Silver Spirit in Southampton. Additionally, the attendees from Itchen College had the opportunity to participate in the CLIA conference held in May, further expanding their understanding of the field.
Concluding the programme, students were required to deliver presentations on the theme ‘why I would recommend a friend to apply for a job in cruise’ before an audience that included representatives from the cruise industry. This exercise was not only a demonstration of their new-found understanding but also served to instil a sense of potential career path exploration within the attendees.
Matthew Lonsdale reflected on the project’s success, indicating that beyond introducing students to the employment possibilities within cruise lines, it illustrated the vast array of roles and opportunities available. Paul Dunne, the head teacher of St John Bosco College, expressed the institution’s continued support for the initiative, underscoring its value in preparing students for post-academic life. Furthermore, Andy Harmer of CLIA UK and Ireland praised the participating students as a talented group poised to contribute to the industry, emphasising the programme’s alignment with the industry’s growth trajectory.
The Compass Project continues to play a vital role in shaping future talent for the cruise sector through education and exposure.
