AMIF Emphasises Training as Key to the Future
The AMIF is keen to encourage industry support for a national education campaign to attract young people to the marine industry.
'Sherry Donaldson, CEO of AMIF'
Jeni Bone
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In 2006/2007 the Australian Marine Industries Federation (AMIF), with financial support from the Federal Government, embarked on an ambitious training project entitled 'All Aboard' in an attempt to develop training culture within the marine industry.
As part of this project, Career Education Manuals were sent to every high school in the nation and Employer Manuals were sent to all Boating Industry Association (BIA) members.
It was a good starting point, however, there is still much to be done to ensure that career teachers seriously consider the marine industry when providing vocational guidance and that students and parents see the marine industry as an exciting and viable career option.
In a show of support, the BIAs around the nation are rolling out a plan to involve key stakeholders in an education campaign on the merits of joining the marine industry.
Already, BIANSW has demonstrated its commitment to 'spreading the word' by inviting all NSW Career Teachers to a workshop to launch the BIANSW Careers Directory at the Sydney International Boat Show.
Marine Queensland will be holding a Career Expo at its Brisbane International Boat Show and other BIAs will follow suit with a variety of activities at coming shows.
Later on in the year, thanks to financial support from BIANSW, BIAVIC and Marine Q, the AMIF has secured a place in the ALIFE Project which will see over one million free career DVDs distributed across the nation.
The DVD is narrated by Rove McManus and is designed to appeal to the younger market; it should generate a significant amount of interest in the marine industry.
Working on generating a public awareness of the industry is only one side of the equation.
There needs to be a large cohort of employers ready and willing to take on trainees or apprentices.
There is a huge range of incentives and resources available to assist employers to do so. Sometimes, however, actually identifying what is useful and applicable can be time consuming and often confusing.
With that in mind, the AMIF successfully sought the support of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and, in collaboration with Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA), is running a program over the next four months to educate BIA staff on resources which could be useful for marine industry employers.
Christopher Keegan, Education Officer from BIAVIC, has been selected as the Project Officer and he will be working closely with MSA staff to identify appropriate resources.
Information on the project will be posted to the AMIF and MSA websites as work progresses. www.amif.asn.au
For further information contact
Sherry Donaldson
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Marine Industries Federation
Tel: (08) 9371 8872
sherry@amif.asn.au
by AMIF 
NORTH CURL CURL, NSW
