Consulting Projects

Boating Careers Workforce Program (Victoria)

Role:

1. Manager – Education & Industry Skills
2. Skills Advisor
3. Program Manager - Boating Careers

Organisation:

Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV)

Overview

Leading the delivery and expansion of Victoria’s Boating Careers program, connecting students, training providers and employers to address critical workforce shortages in the marine industry.

Key Initiatives

• Delivery of 14 Boating Careers student Immersion Days across Victoria
• Pilot immersion program in partnership with Workforce Australia – Local Jobs Program
• Coordination of statewide careers expos and regional activations
• Direct engagement with marine employers including boat builders, repairers and technicians
• Development of structured student → training → employment pathways
• Lead and coordinate - Club Marine national careers and skills video project
• OEDA (Outboard Engine Distributors Association) working group member - developing structured pathways into marine mechanical for students and international workers including the OEDA national introduction course for school students into marine mechanical technology

Apprentice of the Year Awards

Management of the Boating Careers Apprentice of the Year Awards

Delivered annually at the Melbourne Boat Show

Recognition across:

• Marine Mechanical Technology
• Boat Building

International Technician Workforce Pilot

Overview

Design and delivery of an international workforce pipeline in partnership with Suzuki Marine Australia/ Philippines/ Japan, addressing Australia’s shortage of skilled marine technicians.

Program Scope

• Development of a pilot international technician program
• Collaboration with offshore training providers
• Skills assessment, training alignment and candidate preparation
• Integration with Australian training and employment pathways

Pathway Model

Offshore training and technical screening

Transition to Australia for:

• Further training - Marine Mechanical Technology
• Employment within marine dealerships and Outboard Engine Manufacturers networks
• Alignment with 482 Skilled Visa pathways

Industry Impact

• Scalable national workforce solution
• Long-term pipeline targeting thousands of technicians over 5–10 years
• Direct alignment with OEM workforce demand and dealer networks

Workforce Housing & Industry Support

Overview

The Marine Talent Accommodation Project is focused on solving one of the biggest barriers to workforce growth in the marine industry:

Access to affordable, suitable accommodation for students and technicians.

This initiative supports both domestic and international workforce pathways, ensuring candidates can successfully transition into training and employment within the industry.

Project Scope

• Development of shared accommodation models for students and technicians
• Pilot housing solutions in key marine regions 
• Collaboration with property partners and accommodation providers
• Alignment with training and employment locations

Workforce Integration

Supports:

• International students entering Australian training programs
• Skilled technicians relocating for employment

Integrated with:

• Training pathways
• Employment placements through Marine Talent and industry partners

Industry Impact

• Removes a major barrier to workforce participation
• Increases retention of students and employees
• Enables regional workforce mobility
• Supports national workforce expansion initiatives

Future Vision

• National accommodation network aligned to marine industry hubs
• Integration with employer partnerships and workforce planning
• Scalable model supporting thousands of workers over time

The Marine Talent Global Ambassador Program is a national initiative designed to identify, support and elevate Australia’s top marine apprentices and emerging professionals.

The program connects local talent with global opportunity, providing a structured pathway from industry recognition through to international exposure and career development.

From workshop to world stage

Program Development

The Marine Talent Global Ambassador Program is currently in development, with initial rollout planned in alignment with major industry events and national engagement activities.

The program will be delivered in collaboration with:

• Industry partners
• Training providers
• Employers and OEM networks

Sponsorship and commercial partners

Partnership Opportunities

A limited number of aligned partners will be invited to support the program, contributing to:

• Ambassador experiences
• International travel and participation
• Industry engagement and program delivery

This is not just a sponsorship it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of the marine industry.

Interested in collaborating on workforce development, industry programs or national initiatives?