The Float Your Boat program is making waves in the maritime industry by offering Year 10 students from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie schools an unparalleled opportunity to dive into maritime careers.
This initiative, part of the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program, not only fosters industry awareness but also provides hands-on skills with Australia’s largest employer of seafarers, Svitzer.
Koby Imre, a 16-year-old Whitebridge High School student, is a perfect example of the program’s impact.
Having fished since he was two years old, Koby has always been passionate about boats and maritime life. “I’ve always been into boats, I love it. I go out fishing all the time,” he shared.
This week, Koby joined 39 other Year 10 students at Wickham for the Float Your Boat program.
The initiative is designed to provide students with a comprehensive view of what a career in the maritime industry looks like. As part of this program, the students had the chance to tour tugboats at Svitzer and navigate vessels on an AI simulator.
They also learned directly from industry leaders, including representatives from the water police, Maritime and Safety Training (MAST), Newcastle Ferries, and the fishing cooperative. These experiences not only build technical skills but also give students a firsthand look at various maritime professions.
Chloe Hillard, a student from St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead, found the AI simulator particularly exciting. “Using the AI simulator was an incredible experience,” she said. “It was really cool, it feels so real and you can actually feel the boat move with the swell. I just think this is a really great opportunity, especially for the girls.”
The Float Your Boat program emphasises the importance of practical, hands-on learning.
Svitzer training manager Dan O’Brien noted, “We found very much that talking about a process doesn’t work; what we need to do is actually show them the process – from how the vessels work, from the engines to the winches.” This hands-on approach ensures that students not only understand the theory behind maritime operations but also see and experience it in action.
The importance of programs like Float Your Boat is underscored by the current challenges facing the maritime industry.
“Australia is currently facing a critical maritime skills shortage which will ultimately impact the Australian economy. According to Ports Australia, if we do not find a solution to Australia’s maritime skills shortage, we will not have the skilled personnel to operate our most vital trade and economic infrastructure.”
For many students, this program is more than just an educational experience; it’s a gateway to future careers. “This is something I want to pursue as a career,” Koby said. “Hopefully I’ll get a job on the tugs one day as a master.”
The opportunities don’t end with the program, as Svitzer is looking to offer two school-based traineeships to students who participated in the day.
The maritime industry offers a diverse range of career paths, from cargo shipping and shipbuilding to tugboat towing and cruise ship operations. Programs, like Float Your Boat, help students explore these options and fast-track their careers in this thriving and essential industry.Check out our photo gallery to see the Float Your Boat program in action and witness how these young individuals are gaining the skills and confidence needed to navigate their future careers on some of the world’s best waterways.
