THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has committed almost $17 million to a new maritime skills and training initiative that will give up to 20 trainee seafarers each year, for four years, access to berths to complete sea time required for international certification.
The funding was announced by infrastructure and transport minister Catherine King yesterday [4 March] at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston and will support the Government’s maritime Strategic Fleet and the broader industry. It was quickly welcomed by peak industry body MIAL
$2.5 million will also flow to the Transport and Logistics Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) to address training barriers, and ultimately Australia’s maritime skills shortage, the minister said.
The JSC’s 2024 Maritime Workforce Plan confirmed that access to training berths is a major issue, with lacking coordination across industry and training providers resulting in sea time not being effectively accessed and utilised.
“Today’s announcement directly responds to recommendations identified by both the Maritime Workforce Plan and Strategic Fleet Taskforce Final Report, and will also support the implementation and long-term sustainability of a maritime Strategic Fleet,” Ms King said.
“The Government released the Strategic Fleet Taskforce Final Report in November 2023, before undertaking targeted consultation with vessel operators and unions. We are now moving ahead with delivering on the report’s recommendations.
“Late last year, the Strategic Fleet Pilot tender closed and proposals are now being evaluated as part of a competitive, open and transparent procurement process.
“Our investment in a new skills and training program will give trainee seafarers vital access to berths onboard vessels – including those under contract to the Australian Government – needed to meet their international certification.
“Not only will this be welcome news for vocational and tertiary level qualified seafarers in need of sea time, it will also support the vessels offering the training berths. This is yet another demonstration of our Government’s commitment to investing in a sustainable maritime industry, one with the skills needed to thrive into the future.”
Skills and training minister Andrew Giles said: “We’ve recently established a Maritime Skills Network, bringing together government, industry and unions, to come up with solutions to challenges in the sector and this announcement will go a long way towards workforce shortage concerns.
“This program will ensure a pipeline of trained Australian seafarers over the coming years that can fill critical functions such as harbour masters, marine pilots and regulatory roles protecting our environment and the safety of vessels operating in our waters.”
In welcoming the news Maritime Industry Australia Ltd noted it had been calling for action to address the critical shortage of Australian strategic maritime skills – an essential component of the sovereign maritime capability of an island nation – for years.
With increasing exploration, development and decommissioning activity in Australia’s offshore industry, and implementation of the strategic fleet pilot program, MIAL along with other industry stakeholders have been united in calling for an injection of funds to support and accelerate maritime training while longer term reform options are explored, CEO Angela Gillham said.
“A sustainable pipeline of Australians with the knowledge, skills and experience acquired at sea is indispensable to the safe operation of our ports, our ability to leverage the existing and future opportunities in the offshore resources sector. and the protection of our marine environment.
“Maritime training is a very high-cost enterprise and the burden of developing these strategic skills has fallen on the shoulders of the few. These are essential skills for an island nation and not only required for shipping but lead to a wide range of highly desirable roles across the Australian economy.
“MIAL is working hard with key stakeholders to coordinate industry driven reform to reduce costs, increase efficiency and to create a sustainable skills pipeline that offers exciting maritime careers to the next generation of Australians,” Ms Gilham said.
“This Government investment to help address a key barrier to Australians achieving an internationally recognised seagoing qualification – accessing sea time – is an incredibly welcome development and we look forward to working closely with government and other stakeholders on the detail as the initiative rolls out.”
