The Boating Industry Association Ltd has announced a significant funding agreement with the Queensland Government to deliver a major boost to the Marine Jobs program across the Sunshine State.
BIA CEO Andrew Fielding said this milestone funding agreement would enable Marine Jobs to accelerate in Queensland which is home to the largest concentration of marine businesses in Australia.
“We will use this State Government support to connect more opportunities with key stakeholders in the marine sector, to attend more events and to encourage more people, especially young people, to commit to considering a career in Queensland’s marine industry,” Fielding said.
“The marine industry has a huge demand for jobs and skills as shown by the number of marine occupations and apprenticeships on the national priority lists.”
A recent BIA National Jobs & Skills Annual Survey revealed 93 per cent of marine businesses are concerned about skilled labour with 85 per cent concerned about the shortage of apprentices and more than 45 per cent reporting a consequent loss of revenue.
Fielding said Marine Jobs was a key strategic BIA priority to support the marine industry through a coordinated program that included marketing and promotions, events, stakeholder engagement and advocacy to governments across the nation.
Over the next 12 weeks, BIA will be attending over 45 careers events in QLD, delivering a Marine Jobs promotion throughout regional hubs including Mackay, Townsville, Proserpine and Cairns plus stakeholder meetings with the Whitsundays Region to grow the program. As well as expanding reach further since joining the Port of Brisbane Marine Industry Careers Group who will be holding a major event encompassing port operations, shipping, water police and Svitzer; and engaging State and Federal Departments with results from the latest BIA National Jobs & Skills Annual Survey.
Fielding said while the State Government funding would help “turbo charge” Marine Jobs in Queensland, BIA would continue to deliver the program across the nation.
