BIA kicks off Boating Industry Academy

The Boating Industry Association (BIA) has kicked off one of their new programs, the Boating Industry Academy. Thursday 12 January was the start date for the first 18 participants that was made up of a combination of year 10 and 11 students.

The Boating Industry Academy began with inductions at the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) Robina Campus, that was followed with the Year 11 group experiencing a team building event.

(L to R) in Toowoomba are Nathan Reynolds (AITC), Michael Date (BIA), a number of Rookie’s on the Rookie Program along with some new Young People, and Lee Smith (AITC).

The program will see the 18 students participate in a two-year program throughout their Years’ 11 and 12, that will combine time in industry with potential employers and an in-school educational set. It will involve a 12-week cycle, being 7 weeks in-industry and 5 weeks in-school. Site visits start next week within the Coomera Marine Precinct.

The BIA say that “this is a Boating Industry Academy, for industry by industry”.

There are approximately 10 Gold Coast Marine Precinct consortium and employer members contributing to the program, with the BIA thanking them for their contribution.

The BIA say that “this is a long-term project, to deliver a sustainable pipeline preparing young people to move into our industry, and it is intended to roll out into other States and areas when and where appropriate”.

For more information, please contact Michael Date at the BIA at