by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Alessia Rosolen, FVG councilor for labor and education; Head of Training at Costa Crociere Daniela Cimone
Costa Cruises is looking to fill 57 on-board positions as part of a new hiring initiative developed in partnership with the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The program, presented Monday in Trieste, highlights a decade-long collaboration that regional officials say strengthens the link between training opportunities and labor market needs.
Alessia Rosolen, the regional councillor for Education and Labor, said the initiative reflects the government’s role in addressing demographic challenges in the job market. “The Recruiting Lab for Costa Cruises marks the continuation of a ten-year path in which the Region has played a public service role, building training and developing skills in response to labor market imbalances,” Rosolen said.
The cruise line will recruit staff in four areas:
- 15 hospitality operators (customer service and guest assistance)
- 15 future cruise consultants (sales roles)
- 12 digital content editors (producing video, graphics, and other digital material for on-board channels)
- 15 administrative operators (handling on-board administration).
Applicants must be at least 18, hold European citizenship, reside or be domiciled in Friuli Venezia Giulia, and be unemployed. A high school diploma or a four-year professional qualification is required, and candidates must be able to swim. Applications are open until October 20 at this link.
Language requirements vary by role, but English proficiency at B1 level is mandatory for most positions. A second language — German, French, or Spanish — is required for some roles, particularly in hospitality and sales.
Training programs will be held at Enaip in Trieste, totaling between 482 and 525 hours, with two additional weeks at an accredited institution outside the region for mandatory certifications. Candidates who pass the initial screening will undergo language and interview assessments between October 28 and November 7 in Trieste.
Those selected will be invited to free training courses before Costa Cruises evaluates them for temporary contracts under the national maritime labor agreement, lasting four to six months with the possibility of renewal.
According to regional data, 61 percent of candidates in 2024 hiring programs secured immediate employment, with another 37 percent hired within three months. Rosolen noted that Friuli Venezia Giulia will need 20,000 new workers over the next five years and said she was “proud of the training network” built to meet that demand.
