Funding announced by the Gillard Government for maritime training has been welcomed today by the Australian Shipowners Association
May 2, 2013
Funding announced by the Gillard Government for maritime training was welcomed by the Australian Shipowners Association (ASA).
The federal government today said it will provide almost $12 million over four years in additional funding for the Australian Maritime College (AMC) which will allow the College to deliver specialised training to over 500 maritime students.
Further funding will be allocated to build an intermodal terminal at Bell Bay in Tasmania’s north and industry representatives implementing the island state’s shipping reforms.
The full package amounts to more than $22 million.
ASA Executive Director Teresa Lloyd says the
funding allocated to the AMC will ensure
the
maritime skills required to support a revitalised industry.
“The investment in the Australian Maritime College is essential to ensure maritime training continues at the AMC as it has done for decades,” Lloyd says.
Lloyd says the AMC is unique in the Australian higher education system in that it provides training for students on a national basis, yet the funding system for such training is delivered by states.
“It is very much a case of the AMC not fitting the system for higher education funding, and the shipping industry is very pleased that this has been recognised and a solution has been found to the system,”
she says.
The ASA, among other industry groups has been calling for certainty to be provided for the future of the AMC for some time.
“This certainty has now been provided and shipping companies can focus on conducting the training and development of their staff,” Lloyd says.
Lloyd says today’s announcement provides the next vital piece of the government’s shipping reforms, by securing the future workforce training needs.
“The package of measures provides a fiscal and regulatory platform encouraging shipping companies to base their operations in Australia and have been greatly welcomed by the shipping industry,” Lloyd says.
“The skills of our seafarers provide the expertise we need to protect our environment and our economic viability by ensuring safe and efficient port operations and shipping services.”
Like many industries, shipping faces a serious demographic issue as well as an existing skills shortage.
At the same time over 700 young people are registered as wishing to pursue a career at sea.
“It is currently very difficult to actually train these people and have them work on ships due to funding issues,” Lloyd says.
“The combination of the funding announced today and continuing reform is something that industry can use to increase training and job opportunities in the national maritime and shipping industries.”