GUEST Program

IAMI Annual Conference 2026 Update: Networking Dinner Confirmed at Gaucho Liverpool.

IAMI 2026 Conference is live for registration!
Our next annual IAMI conference will take place on Thursday 22nd October at The Hilton, Liverpool with our networking dinner at GAUCHO. Places are limited and booking fast, please be sure to book soon. Promising to be an impactful day, showcasing industry leaders and concluding with a fantastic networking dinner.

Speakers include Ajit Jacob, Shajan Lukose and Sivakumar Thevaruvattath from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Kevin Gregory from the Merchant Navy Training Board. Updates from IAMI's subgroups from Emma Baggett THE OM for IAMI GUEST Program, John Wyborn for the Specialist Sub Group, Jon Milner for Deck and Chris Gray for Engineering.

We're coming up to one year of working with the MCA for the Digital Assessment Platform and we'll have an update on assessment from Ishan Kolhatkar of Inspera.More in the pipeline and further speakers will be announced next week.

This event is free for lAMI members (1 place, more can be purchased at members rate of £125 per delegate) and this year we're also opening up registration for non members for a day rate of £250 for the full day conference and networking dinner in the evening.

Register now, we'd love to see you there! https://Inkd.in/evKggzTZ
Follow us on Linkedin for regular updates.

We are delighted to welcome Simon Ashton as the new CEO of IAMI.

Simon brings extensive experience, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to maritime education and training.

He began his career as a marine cadet qualifying as both a Deck Officer and Marine Engineering Officer before attaining his Master Mariner certification and serving at sea as a Captain.

Transitioning into maritime education, he joined South Shields Marine School where he progressed through a series of senior leadership positions to become Principal. Simon has also contributed to the wider maritime sector through his role on the Board of the Merchant Navy Training Board, helping to influence and develop the future of maritime training in the UK.

Simon's extensive industry knowledge, commitment to excellence, and dedication to developing the next generation of maritime professionals make him exceptionally well placed to lead IAMI into its next chapter.

A warm welcome to Simon and we look forward to working with him to strengthen maritime education, support our members, and continue promoting the highest standards across the global maritime sector.

We wish him every success in his new role.

The superyacht sector has expanded into a highly technical, multi-disciplinary global industry. Despite this growth, formal vocational education and training (VET) has often lagged behind operational realities.

Work Package 2 of the Superyacht Qualification Framework (SYQF) project was designed to address this challenge by creating a robust, competency-based framework aligned with European qualification principles.

The SYQF stakeholder team prioritised defining the scope of professional practice across three primary sectors: Onboard Operations, Shipyards, and Professional Services.

By establishing standard role templates, the project identified representative roles. Core responsibilities were converted into clear competencies, organised into themed clusters, and translated into measurable learning outcomes.

To manage the data, a database was developed. This linked industry requirements directly to educational outcomes and training programmes. This has found -

80 distinct professional roles across onboard, shipyard, and service domains.

1,122 defined responsibilities and 1,106 competencies grouped into 28 themed clusters.

187 clear, outcome-based units designed for vocational assessment and prior-learning recognition.

Comprehensive evaluation of 227 existing vocational and professional training courses mapped against the new learning outcomes to identify critical skills gaps.

The database provides full traceability between professional practice and qualification requirements. The immediate next phase focuses on rigorous stakeholder validation. Workshops involving over 60 maritime employers, training providers, and regulatory authorities across Europe will review the framework.

This validation guarantees that the provisional SYQF remains practically viable and ready to support labour mobility across the European maritime economy.

This is an extract from an article taken with thanks from a press release from Erasmus +. IAMI are a supporting stakeholder in the project . If you would like to find out more and access the full content - go to LinkedIn and the IAMI GUEST Program page.

Today’s superyachts are more connected, more technologically advanced and more reliant on sophisticated Audio Visual (AV) and Information Technology (IT) systems than ever before.

From entertainment and integrated control systems to onboard networks, connectivity and troubleshooting, AV/IT knowledge is becoming an increasingly valuable part of the professional skill set onboard.

The IAMI GUEST AV & IT training pathway is designed to support the development of practical, industry-relevant knowledge for those working with — or looking to develop their understanding of — these increasingly important onboard systems.

Why does AV/IT training matter?:
Technology is now woven into almost every aspect of the guest experience. When something stops working, the expectation onboard is often simple: fix it — quickly, professionally and with minimal disruption. That requires more than familiarity with technology. It requires structured knowledge, confidence, problem-solving ability and an understanding of how systems interact within the unique superyacht environment.

For crew, developing AV/IT competence can also mean:

🔹 Broadening your technical skill set
�🔹 Becoming more valuable and versatile onboard�
🔹 Building confidence when diagnosing problems�
🔹 Developing skills relevant to increasingly technology-led yachts�
🔹 Creating opportunities for career progression and specialist roles

And importantly, AV/IT isn’t only relevant to one department. Engineers, ETOs, technical crew and other crew members who regularly interact with onboard technology can all benefit from developing a stronger understanding of these systems.

Professional development for a changing industry:
As yachts become smarter and more connected, crew training needs to evolve alongside them.

The IAMI GUEST Programme exists to provide industry-relevant, non-mandatory professional development that complements statutory training and responds to the real operational needs of the superyacht sector.

We are delighted to report that we have had a great response to the Superyacht Forum and Metstrade Crew Voices Initiative, applications are filling quickly but we still have places available. The initiative is open to senior current, onboard crew including -

Captains

Chief Officers

Chief Engineers

Pursers

Cheif Steward/ess

At The Superyacht Forum 2026, the Crew Voices initiative is designed to bring real onboard perspectives into the conversations shaping the future of the superyacht industry.

This is an opportunity to share lived experience, add depth to the dialogue, and help connect what happens onboard with the decisions being made across the wider industry.

If you have a perspective that deserves to be heard, are interested in getting more involved in the decisions that affect your industry, and would welcome the opportunity to network and grow your community - now is the moment to apply.

Join the conversation. Contribute to meaningful change. Help shape a more connected, forward-thinking industry.

More details of the opportunity and the application form can be found in The Superyacht Forum Website.

Why should we wait until someone becomes a Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, Purser or Head of Department before we start talking about the value of learning good leadership skills?

The habits crew develop at the beginning of their careers matter.

How we communicate.

How we respond to feedback.

How we behave under pressure.

How we take responsibility.

How we treat the people around us.

How we deal with mistakes and conflict.

These are the foundations of good leadership and in the unique environment of a superyacht, good leadership is at the heart of building the culture onboard and can influence everything from safety and crew wellbeing to retention, professionalism and the guest experience.

In order to support crew and develop leaders the IAMI GUEST Programme offers two levels of leadership training, recognising that leadership development should grow alongside a crew member’s career.

The courses help crew develop the communication, self-awareness, teamwork, management and interpersonal skills needed to become effective professional leaders onboard. Leadership development shouldn’t begin only when someone is promoted. By embedding good habits early and they become part of how we work.

Develop those skills throughout a career and we create crew who are better prepared to take responsibility for others when the time comes.

The IAMI GUEST Foundation Leadership Unit focuses on managing the challenges when working towards or taking on a HoD position for the first time. Such as how to motivate individuals & teams, effectively communicate, apply resource management principals and manage conflict situations.

The IAMI GUEST Advanced Leadership Unit taks these learnt skill to the next level while appreciating the impact a leader has within the ranks. The module includes the development of self motivation, empathy and approach-ability, as well as the dynamics of diplomacy, motivation and influencing individuals and teams and the mediation of potential conflicts.

PROFESSIONALISM — WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN ONBOARD?

We use the word professional frequently in the superyacht industry.

But what does professionalism actually look like when you are working onboard — whether you are a Captain, Engineer, Chef, Purser, Steward/ess or Deckhand?

Professionalism isn’t simply about holding the right qualifications or being technically good at your job.

It is about how you conduct yourself, how you treat others and the standards you choose to maintain — particularly when nobody is watching.

Onboard, professionalism means:

• Taking responsibility for your role and your actions.
• Treating every member of the crew with respect, regardless of rank or department.
• Communicating clearly, appropriately and honestly.
• Being reliable and doing what you say you will do.
• Understanding boundaries, discretion and confidentiality.
• Receiving feedback constructively — and giving it appropriately.
• Recognising when you don’t know something and having the confidence to ask.
• Supporting colleagues rather than undermining them.
• Taking pride in your work, including the tasks nobody notices.
• Continuing to learn and develop throughout your career.

And perhaps most importantly, professionalism is about behaviour.

A yacht may have exceptional facilities, technology and service standards, but ultimately its culture is created by the people onboard.

Professionalism shouldn’t begin when guests arrive and end when they leave. It shouldn’t depend on who is watching, your rank, or how many years you have worked in the industry.

It is a standard we should expect of ourselves — and encourage in each other — every day.

At the IAMI GUEST Programme, operational training and professional development sits at the heart of what we do. Our programmes are designed not simply to develop knowledge and skills, but to support the behaviours, confidence and professional standards needed for successful, sustainable careers within the superyacht industry.

GUEST - Guidelines For Excellence in Superyacht Training.....

The IAMI GUEST Program: is internationally recognised as the Large Yacht Qualifications and Assessment Standard, offering a portfolio of programs made up of short courses that provide targeted Non Mandatory Operational Training and Professional Development, enhancing and developing the careers of Superyacht Crew.

Delivering specialised and tailored education programs to superyacht professionals across departments.

Filling the skills and training gaps in mandatory training through industry led yacht education programs.

Providing a large portfolio of targeted programs and short courses through worldwide blended learning options.

The GUEST Program: Empowering your Professional Journey to Excellence

The IAMI GUEST Program Sub-Group (Guidelines for Excellence in Superyacht Training) meets four times a year and is chaired by Emma Baggett.

The focus of the meetings are to oversee the quality and development of industry-aligned qualifications and educational pathways specifically designed for superyacht crew and associated shore-based personnel.
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At these meeting the GUEST Accredited Providers and members discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of existing qualifications and assessment strategies, provide feedback on candidate performance and training outcomes, review course content and delivery methods for relevance and accuracy, and consult on the development and implementation of new training modules.
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The GUEST Sub-Group maintains close coordination with the “Specialist Sub-Group” to ensure alignment with MCA policies, particularly in areas where GUEST programmes intersect with mandatory certification requirements.

All IAMI members are welcomed to attend to ensure their views are discussed.

Want to hear more about our GUEST Sub-Group? Emma will provide an update at our annual conference at The Hilton, Liverpool on Thursday 22nd October 2026. Come join us, registration details below.

https://lnkd.in/evKGGzTZ

Spotlight on the IAMI Specialist Sub Group…

IAMI's Specialist Sub-Group meets four times each year and is chaired by the Sub-Group Secretary John Wyborn.

The focus of the meetings are the Superyacht and restricted tonnage / area programmes and certification. At this meeting IAMI members can discuss current educational issues accross deck and engineering, including the recent IAMI Deck Yacht exams.

MCA Officials attend this meeting to provide direct feedback on issues, and inform members of forthcoming certification changes.

All IAMI members are welcome.

Come and hear John speak at the IAMI Annual Conference, 22nd

October at The Hilton Liverpool.