Enticing cadets with tugboat action

Text: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

As one of 33 companies, Farmar had a stand at the Agder’s Vocational School's careers day in Grimstad.

Farmar took part for the second year running. And amid the flow of students, companies and brochures, the HR manager was reunited with two familiar faces – Szymon Hess and Marcus Landøy.

Both learned the trade on board the tugboat Farmar Arion. They are now studying at technical college.

“Our apprenticeship on board Farmar Arion was varied. We had assignments everywhere – Africa, North America and many parts of Europe. We learnt an enormous amount, and I have to thank our chief engineer, who was very good at training us,” says Landøy.

AFTER TWO YEARS in the classroom, he and the other students will head out for a year of practical training. And these cadets are in high demand.

“Our dream is to have apprentices who go on to technical college and then come back to us,” says Hovden.

Today, Farmar has five apprentices on its vessels. They are training as deck apprentices or marine engine mechanics. Most complete their trade certificate and then move on.

“When they finish their apprenticeship, most go to school. A few want to stay on, and then we try to make that possible,” says Hovden.

FOR THOSE WHO want to become engineers, technical college is a requirement anyway. That is why meeting Hess and Landøy is more than a pleasant reunion: it is a snapshot of the pathway Farmar hopes more people will choose – first apprenticeship, then technical college, then back to work on deck and in the engine room.

But it is not only Farmar knocking on young people’s doors.

“The competition for technical college students is tough,” says Hovden.

THAT'S WHY the careers day is also about selling the day-to-day reality on board. Farmar goes straight to what it believes sets tugboats apart from many other vessels – pace, variety and camaraderie at sea.

“There’s plenty of action on tugboats. It’s exciting and demanding. And the days are varied – no two days are the same,” says Hovden.

HE BELIEVES the size of the boats is an underrated advantage for young people who want to learn a lot quickly. A smaller vessel means less hierarchy, more responsibility and less chance of being tied to just one task.

“When something happens on our boats, it’s all hands on deck – whether you’re an officer, engineer or deckhand,” says Hovden.

Marcus Landøy already has his plans in place.

“After technical college I’m off to Madla Camp for military service, and after that I’ll keep working towards my goal of becoming Chief Engineer,” he says.