Please select your home edition
Edition

BIA and AIE join forces to support apprentices

by Boating Industry Association 23 Jan 2024 08:21 GMT

The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) has announced a partnership with the Australian Institute of Engineering (AIE) aimed at enhancing support for boating industry businesses in regional areas, improving access to apprentice training.

"In our collaborative efforts to date with AIE, we've seen success in supporting training of apprentices in South Australia, addressing a historical scarcity of opportunities," said BIA CEO Andrew Scott. "By establishing a formal partnership with AIE, our goal is to extend this success to other member States as part of our commitment to promote education, skills and jobs."

AIE employ a well-proven hybrid approach, incorporating online and in-person training and assessment. The tailor-made program is ideal for regional settings where traditional apprentice training might face hurdles due lack of local training providers or distances to travel to training centres.

"AIE is excited to be working with the BIA and to support its members with flexible training options in their workplaces", said AIE Executive Director of Education, Brett Ambrosio. "AIE has a strong focus on increasing the numbers of School Based Apprentices and offering customised training solutions to businesses across Australia to try and help with the current skills shortage."

This collaboration forms a crucial part of BIA's broad approach to addressing the issue of ongoing workforce development in the boating industry where there is high demand for trades such as marine craft construction and marine mechanical technology.

AIE is currently delivering Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction to nine employers and 10 shipwright apprentices in South Australia, providing essential support to BIA member boat manufacturers, such as Mannum Slipway, Matrix Marine and Northbank Marine.

Also benefiting from AIE-supported apprentices, Blacker Marine Customs in Mackay, QLD, has added three apprentices to its team in the past year, significantly contributing to their ability to meet growing demands.

Jake Blacker, Director of Blacker Marine Customs, expressed his satisfaction with the program, "It has been very beneficial to our business being able to employ Shipwright/Boat Building apprentices, and in ensuring the longevity of boat building in Australia. The apprentices don't need to travel to Coomera on the Gold Coast, or source accommodation for the time frame required down there each month. The major advantage for the Apprentices is they can use the workshop welders and equipment that all of them are familiar with daily. Very happy to be able to work with AIE and the support they offer to our business and staff is great. This is definitely a program that the top of Queensland requires without doubt".

The partnership with AIE is founded on BIA's commitment to education, skills, and jobs to support workforce development and address critical skills shortages, ensuring a robust future for the boating industry.

For more information on AIE visit: auie.edu.au.

For more information on BIA visit: bia.org.au.

Related Articles

Ubico ORC B at the Copa del Rey MAPFRE Preview
A total of 35 boats representing 12 nationalities are set to line up in the division A total of 35 boats representing 12 nationalities, all closely matched in length and performance, will line up in Ubico ORC B, the largest and one of the most competitive classes at the 43 Copa del Rey MAPFRE. Posted today at 2:12 pm
Understanding sMRT Alert with Jack Sharland
Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years Man Overboard Devices have come a long way in the last few years with more features packed into smaller devices, but with all these features it can sometimes be difficult to understand what they all do. Posted today at 1:30 pm
Phantom Eastern Series at Great Yarmouth
Class dominates at annual Gorleston Beach Regatta Gorleston Sailing Club hosted its annual Beach Regatta over the weekend of June 28th and 29th, welcoming a mix of visiting classes including the Phantom fleet, several Vareos, and a variety of club boats. Posted today at 1:27 pm
Hoad Shield team racing at Bough Beech
Royal Hospital School defend their title for a second consecutive year The Royal Hospital School (RHS), in Holbrook, Suffolk, is celebrating another remarkable achievement on the water. The RHS Falcons, consisting of year 12 pupils, stormed to victory in the 2025 Hoad Shield. Posted today at 10:51 am
Django Team to represent Italy at Admiral's Cup
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda launches two-boat campaign in historic return of the elite offshore race After a 20-year hiatus, the Admiral's Cup is back - and Italy is ready to make a bold return to one of offshore sailing's most legendary stages. Posted today at 10:23 am
British Keelboat League returns to Rutland
Second qualifier to be hosted at the club is in 10 days The British Keelboat League is returning to Rutland Sailing Club for another weekend of fast and fun racing at the premier inland venue. Posted today at 9:42 am
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde overall
Favourable conditions on the final day for the 302 sailors from 32 countries The 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER concluded yesterday after four days of competition in Warnemünde, Germany. Favourable sailing conditions allowed all 302 sailors from 32 countries to enjoy the final two races in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. Posted today at 8:53 am
Rooster RS700 National Tour at Dabchicks
The large home fleet looked forward to welcoming visitors to their magical sailing facilities Back on the schedule for 2025 the large home fleet looked forward to welcoming visitors to their magical sailing facilities. With some visitors arriving in advance on Friday night, our hosts were ready to receive and ready to open the club bar. Posted today at 8:37 am
29er Europeans at Lake Garda overall
Record-breaking event closes in style More than 250 teams, 29 nations, six days of varied racing, and a fleet of young athletes pushing high-performance sailing to the next level. The 2025 29er European Championship, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva, has officially wrapped. Posted today at 8:14 am
RYA Female Scorpion Project camp 2
Great coaches supported by a World Champion and an Olympian The RYA Female Scorpion Project Camp 2 at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy in Dorset was fortunate to sail in a full range of light, moderate and breezy conditions, testing both the boats and the sailors. Posted today at 7:47 am