As demand grows for skilled maritime workers, Jervis Bay local Ella Field is showing how training through TAFE NSW can turn a passion for the water into a rewarding career.
With marine industries including freight, support, Defence and tourism relying on a capable maritime workforce, training and skills remain critical to supporting the sector’s future growth.
TAFE NSW maritime teacher Wayne Hunt said students from coastal communities, including the Illawarra, Jervis Bay, Ulladulla, Eurobodalla and Eden, were well placed to help meet demand.
He said many of his students already have a strong connection to the marine environment and can see the opportunities close to home.
“Now is a good time to take advantage of online and face to face training, to earn qualifications for employment opportunities across the maritime industry,” Mr Hunt said.
“Maritime plays an important role in the national supply chain and in many coastal communities. Skilled workers are needed to help keep those industries operating safely and efficiently.
“One industry drawcard is the variety, from charter tourism to marine engineering, the industry offers so many different roles. These qualifications can also help people find work around the world,” he said.
A former student of Mr Hunt, Ella, credits her father’s interest in boats for sparking a passion for all things marine and leading the 21-year-old to enrol in Maritime Operations at TAFE NSW.
“After school, I wasn’t sure what career I wanted, but I knew it wasn’t going to be a desk job,” Ella said.
“I took a gap year, did my General Purpose Hand course so I could work on boats in Jervis Bay, it paid off, that experience helped me decide maritime was the industry for me.”
Ella then completed coxswain training, developing skills in navigation, skippering, radar operations and marine engineering. She went on to complete a marine engine driver qualification and is now studying for the Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal qualification online through TAFE NSW.
With women making up only five per cent of the maritime workforce, Ella is proud to be the first female mariner to work with Bollinger Marine Group in Jervis Bay.
“I’m enjoying my work, there’s great variety and I’m always learning. Being the only woman isn’t an issue, it’s a very supportive environment. I’d encourage more women into maritime, it’s fantastic.”
Bollinger Marine Group owner Mitchell Bollinger said Ella was a great fit for the business, which provides marine support and towage services out of Jervis Bay and builds boats in Newcastle.
“The industry has always needed more people, and Ella is building a strong career in the industry. She’s very capable and involved the deck-work and driving vessels. The variety of work is a drawcard, from ocean towage, up the coast to projects in Botany Bay and on the South Coast.
“For me, it’s about offering younger people opportunities and building a team with different levels of experience,” he said.
For more information, visit www.tafensw.edu.au
