Government investment a welcome boost for strategic maritime skills 

Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL), the national peak body representing the Australian shipping industry, welcomes today’s news that the Albanese Labor Government is investing $16.9 million to support maritime skills and training.

For many years MIAL has 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.

Today’s announcement of a new maritime skills and training initiative will give up to 20 trainee seafarers each year access to berths to complete sea time required for international certification over four years, helping to address a major barrier to Australians accessing a career at sea.

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.

Angela Gillham, MIAL CEO says:

“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.

“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.

‘Australia is an island nation at the end of the global supply chain. We depend upon shipping for over 90% of our imports and exports – including essential fuel, medicines, and construction materials that impact on every aspect of our lives. Australian sovereign commercial maritime capability is vital to our supply chain security and national resilience.     

“Today’s announcement of much needed funding, which will enable up to 20 trainees a year access to the sea time required to secure international certification, is a significant move forward in the critically important efforts to develop and sustain sovereign maritime capability.”