Investment in education high on the industry agenda - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 18 May 2023 22:00 UTC
Cadets on the guided tour of Norship during the Cairns Maritime Careers Open Day © Nicholas Thorowgood
The investment in industry training is an essential process for the availability of future skilled and trained employees. This week we highlight some of the activities designed to ensure that the marine industry is provided with an ongoing pre-trained employee base.
Marine Jobs successfully delivered The Cairns Maritime Careers Open Day on May 13th, bringing the Cairns Marine Precinct to life. Held at TAFE Queensland's Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, the event attracted an impressive turnout of 1228 visitors eager to explore the variety of career opportunities available in the marine industry. The Open Day featured more than 30 businesses representing diverse sectors such as reef tourism, manufacturing, defence, supply chain, sustainment, commercial shipping, and superyacht industries.
Attendees, which included Hon Dianne Farmer (Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development) and Mr Michael Healy (Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development), had the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and gain insights into the extensive range of opportunities the marine sector has to offer.
Meanwhile the BIAV (Boating Industry Association of Victoria) were thrilled to participate in the SE Careers and Trade Fit Expos last week, where they were exposed to over 10,000 students from Year 10 to Year 12. On May 9th the BIAV were at the South East Career Expo, where 7,000 High School students came through KCC Park at Skye, giving them a great opportunity to promote the Marine Industry and its training pathways.
Special thanks to Mercury Marine Australia & New Zealand, Moose Marine, and Dunbier Trailers for supporting BIAV with this event. May 10-11th saw BIAV exhibiting at the Trades Fit - Young Women in Trades and Tech Expo. We are very proud to support women joining our magnificent industry and there was wonderful interest shown at this expo.
Very special thanks to the inspirational women supporting BIAV at the Expo: Chloe from Sundance Marine Luxury Boat Sales, Dani from Aussie Boat Sales, Kirsty and Nicola from Nautek Marine and of course Trevor from Mercury Marine Australia & New Zealand and the BIAV's Mary Papantoniou.
Further north in Queensland, the Boating Industry Academy was developed specifically for high school students interested in a career in the boating and marine industries. Young people in Years 10 to 12 are able to continue their schooling with the Australian Industry Trade College and start their school-based apprenticeship or traineeship with some of the best employers the Southern Hemisphere has got to offer.
Based out of Coomera QLD, the Academy is currently enrolling for their next intake: July 2023. Interested students and parents can learn more, at the next Boating Careers Open Day on May 30th at 4.30pm. BIA members are encouraged to circulate amongst their networks.
The involvement of women in the industry has increased exponentially over the past decade or two, and in recognition of the part women play in the industry an event is being held at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The Women in the Marine Industry (and beyond) event hosted by Nicky Vaux, aka The Boat Princess, will take place on May 25th during the Show.
The event aims to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in the field and work towards a more equitable and representative industry. From sailors to engineers and entrepreneurs, this event is an opportunity for women from all walks of life to come together and share their experiences and inspire the next generation of female leaders. Tickets include canapés, beverage package and Show entry. Numbers are limited, so book now!
The future of the industry not only depends on a flow of highly skilled employees but also environmental issues. Convened by rePurpose Global and The Ocean Cleanup, over 60 of the most consequential global solutions against plastic pollution came together last week to form the Innovation Alliance for a Global Plastics Treaty (IAGPT).
Recognizing that the ongoing United Nations-led negotiations process represents humanity's single most important opportunity to alter the trajectory of the global plastic pollution crisis for decades to come, the Innovation Alliance aims to elevate crucial perspectives from those closest to tackling plastic waste worldwide, and in doing so, help ensure that the Global Plastics Treaty lives up to its promised potential. Plastic pollution has reached a tipping point, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the ocean each year. Furthermore, 91% of plastic waste is not recycled, and up to 1 million people die from mismanaged waste every year.
In response to this crisis, thousands of solutions and technologies have emerged and rapidly scaled their impact in recent years, demonstrating a clear case that indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship-led systems change lie at the heart of tackling global plastic pollution.
With the Sanctuary Cove Show due to start next week an event prior to the opening involves AIMEX. The Australian International Marine Export Group and Superyacht Australia has released the full conference program for their upcoming ASMEX 2023 Superyacht Conference. The one-day conference will be held at the Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on May 23rd, preceding the Show later the same week.
Top billing goes to the two Keynote Speakers travelling to Australia to address conference delegates. Mohammed Alshaali (Chairman, Gulf Craft) will discuss the development and global expansion of Gulf Craft over the past four decades, from a modest builder of small fishing boats to the builder of award-winning luxury superyachts, including the world's largest composite-built production superyacht. The chairman will also share his own personal career journey from international diplomat to a leader in the global yachting industry.
VETUS-Maxwell is showcasing the high performance of its unique BOW PRO thruster range within a new integrated outboard joystick solution at this year's Sanctuary Cove Show. System innovator VETUS-Maxwell is facilitating the advanced connected technology by collaborating with a growing number of partners to offer joystick systems in combination with single or multiple BOW PRO thrusters, enabling stress-free docking and precision control.
One of its key partnerships is with Yamaha, who will be offering visitors at Sanctuary Cove the opportunity to book a sea trial to test the integrated VETUS BOW PRO / Yamaha Helm Master® EX control system on a Cruise Craft demo boat. This latest partnership offers a single intuitive joystick that easily controls engine power and puts the boat effortlessly where you want it, improving the slow speed authority and ease of berthing, increasing safety and vessel usability.
The solution is perfect for larger boats requiring additional control, enhancing lateral movement and pivoting by automatically engaging the bow thruster in variable speed to match operator input.
New boats launched this week include Whittley Marine Group's release of its first new Sea Legend model in over a decade. The new flagship SL 27 HT will be arriving at Whittley's Factory Owned Dealerships across the country in June. Two of the new models are on display at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show: May 25-28th.
The newly released deep-vee family fishing boat replaces the SL 26 HT model and is the largest production Sea Legend model that the Victorian manufacturer has produced. Designed as a maxi trailerable deep vee family fishing boat, the SL 27 HT offers an Australian-made hybrid boat, designed for Australia's unique boating lifestyle.
Appealing to a new generation of cruising families looking for contemporary styling and added performance, the Integrity 470 CE Plus will make its international debut at Sanctuary Cove too. The first Integrity Plus model in the Coastal Express range is designed to deliver the same comfortable, easy cruising as a traditional Integrity, with added features, enhanced styling and a burst of speed when it's needed.
"It was time for Integrity to do something different in response to feedback at boat shows," said Bruce Scott, Director at the Whitehaven Group who are the importers and distributors of the Integrity range.
Later in the year the Sydney International Boat Show takes centre stage. Advances in design and technology shape the diverse line up of exhibitors at the Show, August 3-6th at the International Convention Centre, Sydney and adjacent Cockle Bay. With the opportunity for visitors to see the latest and greatest from Australia's recreational boating industry, exhibitors are excited to premiere some of the advancements now available in onboard technology and showcase the trends seen in vessel ideas, finishes and design.
New products involve Raymarine, who have announced the availability of Axiom® 2 XL, a sophisticated line of glass bridge chartplotters for premium yachts and integrated helm solutions. The largest and most powerful navigation displays in the award-winning Axiom family, Axiom 2 XL offers superior performance and the elegant simplicity of Raymarine's LightHouse operating system.
Designed to grace the helms of luxury cruisers and premium sailing yachts, the Axiom 2 XL portfolio is available in 16-, 19-, 22- and 24-inch sizes. Each display features Raymarine's exclusive HydroToughTM nano-coated display technology that repels water and oils for reliable touchscreen operation in the most challenging conditions.
And from the UK, Caudwell Marine has announced that its new diesel 300hp outboard will be delivered in early 2024. The Caudwell Marine team is confident that its first outboard product will exceed the demanding expectations of the market, which has been waiting for a reliable and durable diesel outboard solution for many years. The Caudwell Marine diesel outboard is primarily aimed at the commercial and military markets which require their high-performance outboards to work, day-in and day-out, in all conditions.
However, the team also expect to see opportunities in the recreational market, where fuel economy, performance and reliability are also a requirement. The outboard features a marine proven, 300hp, V6 turbo charged high performance diesel engine and the full diesel outboard product is receiving its final validation and durability testing on boats in Lowestoft, UK.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com