“I have fulfilled my dream. Being a bargeman is a profession that offers a lot of freedom. You learn to be independent early on in your training. You also live on board, so you run your own household.”

Patrick Gereke, captain of the MS RheinEnergie

Welcome aboard! With this invitation, Köln-Düsseldorfer welcomes countless guests from Germany and abroad to its ships every day. “Welcome on board” also applies to men and women who would like to work for KD. The jobs on land and on the ships are as varied as the company itself. Training is a top priority at KD. For example in the nautical field.

A varied training program awaits the future bargemen. The young people on board get to know all facets of passenger shipping. This includes, for example, mooring and casting off, deck care, maintenance work and contact with guests. The apprenticeship lasts three years. It is based on a dual system. The practical part is taught on board the KD ships, while the theory is taught in blocks at the “Rhein” vocational college for skippers in Duisburg. “We offer three new apprenticeships every year,” says Markus Schwartz. As Managing Director of KD Europe, he is responsible for the Nautical & Technology divisions.

Applicants must be able to swim

Opportunities are open to men and women who have completed their school education, a secondary school certificate is sufficient. “Applicants should also have a certain level of physical fitness and technical understanding. Above all, they must be able to swim.” Social skills are also an important criterion. This is because KD relies on teamwork, with employees from the nautical, catering and kitchen departments working hand in hand.

Very good exam results

We attach great importance to solid and thorough training. Our success proves us right: in the past five years, no KD trainee has failed the IHK exams,” says Schwartz. The young people have good career opportunities within the company. “For around 15 years, we have taken on trainees if they wish to do so.

“Many remain loyal to KD for many years. Anniversaries for 25 or 40 years of service are not uncommon for us.”

Markus Schwartz, Managing Director of KD Europe in the Nautical & Technology division

No two tags are alike

One of the former ship’s boys is now the captain of the MS RheinEnergie. Patrick Gereke started at KD as a 17-year-old. He was a sailor, boatswain, skipper and has been captain on the leading event ship in Europe since this year. “I have fulfilled my dream,” says the 41-year-old family man. “It’s a job that offers a lot of freedom. You learn to be independent early on in your training. You also live on board, so you run your own household.”

A path like the one taken by captain Gereke would be right up Andreas Rohrsdorfer’s street. The 19-year-old has just completed his first year of training and is very satisfied. “It’s a great job. You travel a lot and learn exciting things. It’s just the right thing for me.”

No two days are the same and anyone who becomes a bargeman has landed one of the best-paid training jobs in the trade.