Article by Kim Hollamby, METSTRADE
Last year’s IBI METSTRADE Boat Builder Awards People and Skills Development category was won by the Marine Jobs initiative in Australia. This engaging multi-layered collaborative programme by the marine industry in Australia addresses industry-wide development, government advocacy, retention and recruitment of skills, with a particular focus on future generations. We caught up with Andrew Scott, CEO of the Boating Industry Association (BIA), to ask about the results and development of these activities in 2024.
What were the driving factors in creating this programme?
Job skills, training and pathway opportunities for people are collectively one of the four key strategic priorities for the BIA. We’ve been involved with training institutions and building curricula for courses and similar activity since our formation in the 1960s. But the need to recruit, retain and upskill the industry’s workforce has received particular focus in recent times due to the global challenge of skills shortages that became acute in the pandemic-sparked boom. No-one could have foreseen the rapid increase in boating activity and the demand for production and resources to match. When that happened, movement of people around the world was restricted, placing additional focus on the need for home-grown talent.
How has the Marine Jobs platform developed?
Our Marine Jobs website was launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Marina Industries Association (MIA), and Superyacht Australia. We share the need for skilled workers and there is an overlap of members.
In the first instance it was an online jobs board – in effect an advertising platform for our members to benefit from. They could post their vacancies, or we could do it for them at a much lower cost compared to other generic job websites. It had the benefit of being specific to the industry and has more recently transitioned to a dedicated Facebook platform, giving greater flexibility for members.
The BIA recently acquired the Marine Jobs brand which brings with it the social media page and website. Our entire skills and jobs programme will now come under the same heading to further drive recruitment into the wider marine industry. BIA will have a focus on consistency of branding across all our Marine Jobs activities that extend much further than the online jobs board.
The BIA represents the interests of Australia’s marine industry, across a broad range of trades in all states and territories. So, we have considerable reach and focus, but will continue to collaborate with the MIA and Superyacht Australia on various initiatives and promotions for marine careers.
You launched an academy last year for school-aged young people – is that working well?
BIA partnered with The Industry School (formerly the Australian Industry Trade College) to start up the Marine Industry Academy based in Queensland. It caters for young people from school years 10, 11 and 12 in Australia (ages 15-18). It provides them with a pathway to a marine career while completing their schooling. They still study core curriculum subjects such as Maths and English but additionally learn marine industry skills from Year 11.
Students get a Certificate at the end of Year 12 to demonstrate they have completed their first full year of a trade course. This commitment to completing their education and attaining their High School Certificate while starting a school-based apprenticeship is an enormous help in overall retention in a marine career.
The take-up has been great. It’s grown already from a launch intake of 22 to 60 this year, with a goal to hit 100 students. That might not seem like big numbers, but it has the potential to make a major difference. Take Riviera Marine, our biggest boat builder which has over 1000 staff, of which around 120 are apprentices and trainees. Telwater employs a similar sized workforce. If we can get 100 young people through our programme each year, it will make a significant difference in securing a sustainable future for marine manufacturing. It’s very encouraging to see that we’re getting to that point.
We are also expanding the model with a second Academy already underway in Queensland and more to come.
A lot of your is targeting young people – is that better than trying to recruit more mature skilled workers from outside the industry?
We’ve learned a lot through running careers events and expos. A theme has emerged that suggests we should be trying to catch people early.
An older, more experienced individual can be influenced to change a career. However, it is less likely to happen unless they are financially well off or they are actively seeking a job change due to circumstances or a relocation.
Experience suggests we must take a generational approach of starting with young people and provide knowledge for them on what’s available in the marine sector. Then encourage them to make choices to join our industry. This approach is certainly taking us in the right direction.
That said our youth-focused activities are just part of our multi-disciplinary approach to getting Marine Jobs delivering results for our members. For example, we are also working through advocacy channels to support skills-based migration.
In which other ways have you been encouraging talent into the industry?
BIA has been creating several career pathway activities.
For several years now we’ve worked closely with TAFE (Technical and Further Education) throughout each of the Australian states, helping build courses and guiding member businesses towards sending young people to do their TAFE training.
We’re expanding our Marine Jobs reach which now includes working with the Department of Education in New South Wales. Around 50 young people are already lined up in the Newcastle region (north of Sydney), and we’re about to target the Illawarra region south of Sydney.
Work is also underway to create a mentoring programme for skilled marine industry individuals who might want to launch their own small business, step into the shoes of a retiring owner or build on their knowledge with the view of progressing their career.
At the Sydney International Boat Show this year, we connected with up to 80 different high schools throughout New South Wales with an identified interest in the marine sector. These schools teach normal curricula but have a specialist approach with an elective subject in Marine Studies which attracts thousands of young people each year statewide. About 700 senior school students visited in three sessions. They were provided with the opportunity to hear about 90 different jobs and careers available. Key industry worker presenters included a boat mechanic, boat builder, a commercial skipper, police boat skipper, superyacht sector worker and a representative from the Australian Navy. They shared their personal experiences that led them to where they are today in their careers.
Superyacht Australia, supported by BIA and the MIA, held two Careers Expos for the second year in succession in Queensland. The Gold Coast event focused on recreational boating opportunities and Cairns was centred around the commercial marine activities of the states far north. Businesses in these two marine precincts opened their doors and welcomed 1500 people on just one of the days alone. An encouraging result and one that we anticipate will continue to growth. If we get 100 people applying for jobs out of this activity, it’s a good outcome.
We are currently planning a fresh approach for 2025 where the aim is to deliver targeted career expos at marinas and in collaboration with key stakeholders from government and industry to get out in the regional areas of key States.
Further information
Read more about Marine Jobs at marinejobs.org.au
Celebrate people and skills at the best dinner date in Amsterdam
Who will win this year’s Boat Builder Awards People & Skills category? You can find out in grand style by joining us on Wednesday 20 November for the 10th anniversary 2024 Boat Builder Awards. This fine celebration of achievement will be held in the historic and atmospheric environment of Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum, surrounded by the maritime heritage of centuries while highlighting the best of the future.
In a brand-new option for 2024 your business can become a Boat Builder Awards Table Partner and host 10 people to enjoy this unique experience and venue. Or you can opt to be a Half Table Partner with five places. It’s the perfect way to enjoy socialising and networking with business colleagues without the hassle of organising a night out on the town for team members and clients.
Individual seats are also available but whichever option you choose please act now as capacity is restricted and places sell fast. To secure your date for the best night in Amsterdam, visit www.ibinews.com/bba2024/tickets.
