P&O Cruises Australia and Cruise Eden will be taking on trainees from Year 11 students of Eden Marine High School as part of a two-year School Based Traineeship.

The sponsorship, which is tailored for cruise, is the first of its kind for an Australian regional port and is designed to create vocational employment and training pathways for young people in the South Coast region interested in a career in the tourism industry.

Keely Grebert and Ocea Thiedeman, boarded P&O’s Pacific Adventure for a ship tour with the Captain during her port call to Eden.

Marguerite Fitzgerald, President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia said, “The partnership with Cruise Eden is the latest initiative from our P&O’s Pacific Partnerships program, where our generous guest donations are invested back to local communities, such as Eden, that make our guests so welcome.”

“We’re thrilled to be supporting local students in their pursuit of a dynamic career in the travel and tourism industry, and further our unwavering support of gender diversity in the cruise industry. It was a pleasure welcoming Keely and Ocea onboard Pacific Adventure, showcasing P&O’s shipside operations to complement their shoreside experiences.”

Cruise Eden Manager, Debbie Meers, Keely, and Ocea will be assisting Cruise Eden with operations on cruise days, and training with other tourism businesses during the winter months to broaden their industry experience and knowledge.

“We wish to thank P&O Cruises Australia for sponsoring this opportunity for two of our local young students who will gain invaluable experience in cruise shoreside while enjoying their subject studies,” said Ms Meers.