Unibarge Academy
Start your career at UniBarge here
Ambition and development at UniBarge
Ambition and talent are worth a lot at UniBarge. Whether you are new to inland navigation or have years of experience, the Unibarge Academy Swiss AG has been set up to enhance and enrich your career. Our academy offers a wide range of educational and training programmes, from technical skills to leadership training. Our training opportunities give you ample opportunity to deepen your knowledge and develop your skills.
Through the UniBarge Academy, we pass on knowledge and experience so that it is retained within our organisation, including on board. This is how we invest in our people, build toward the future, and ensure that valuable expertise is passed on to the next generation.
A place for permanent employees as well as new talent
The Unibarge Academy is for everyone, from new colleagues who want to develop to experienced employees who want to increase their knowledge. The academy is accessible and is there for any (new) colleague, regardless of age or experience. We support your learning process with customised courses and programmes that match your ambitions, whether you work at the office or on our inland barges. Our educational and training programmes help you grow in your position, while you can also take new steps in your career and continue to develop yourself.
Alexander Wanders
for many years themselves.
Dennis Bleeker
Sander Chaigneau
Learning and working in practice
The Unibarge Academy offers new employees the chance to learn on the job. As an approved training company, we support young talent, trainees and career changers who want to build their career in inland navigation. Our permanent crew has extensive experience and knowledge and will teach you everything you need to know to ensure a strong foundation.
Opportunities at Unibarge Academy
The academy is all about continuous development. Our programmes and training courses will keep you up to date in the sector and develop your knowledge and skills. What can you expect from the Unibarge Academy?
1. Training and advancement opportunities
Whether you enter as a sailor, want to progress to a captain’s position, or want to develop your career at UniBarge in a different direction, we offer a range of training opportunities. Our training programme gives you the opportunity to explore a different position and move up or deep dive in your field.
2. Personal development plan (PDP)
With a personal development plan, we map out your career path together. We support employees in moving on to other positions and encourage growth so that you can make the most of yourself and your career.
3. Certifications and customer-focused training
The Unibarge Academy offers training programmes that meet the legal requirements and focus on strengthening customer focus and service quality. We offer programmes with valuable certifications that enhance your career opportunities and ensure our employees stand out in the industry.
4. Train-the-trainer principle and knowledge base
In our academy, we work with the train-the-trainer principle, where internal trainers pass on their knowledge to colleagues. We also have a knowledge base available to all our staff, with articles or experience that contribute to a uniform, sustainable knowledge base within our team.
5. Campus recruitment and collaboration with HR
Setting up learning paths and recruiting new talent through campus recruitment activities is done in collaboration with our HR team. This enables us to continue to develop appropriate pathways that match our growth ambitions and demand in the inland navigation sector.
The importance of the Unibarge Academy
The inland navigation sector faces several challenges: the market is constantly changing, new technologies are improving efficiency and reducing operating costs, and the tight labour market makes it crucial to ensure sustainable employability for employees.
In addition to our fleet expansion with four new gas tankers from 2026, the sector is expected to have 20,000 vacancies to fill by 2030. With the Unibarge Academy, we are ensuring the continuity and growth of our team. The academy plays a vital role in attracting and training new talent and ensuring that existing colleagues continue to grow in their fields.
Unibarge Academy and the future of inland navigation
By focusing on campus recruitment, knowledge building and learning pathways, the academy continues to contribute to a strong future in the inland navigation sector. Our employees work on innovative, sustainable projects and can rely on an organisation that adapts to the market.