Evolution of boat building apprentice to young industry ambassador

by BIA Vic on 24 Nov 2013 The Boating Industry Association of Victoria is pleased to announce the first steps in our industry apprentice mentoring program which is designed to attract and retain boatbuilding and repair apprentices.

Evolution Boats in Bayswater played host Wednesday to prospective boatbuilding apprentices who were given a hands-on tour of the boat manufacturing plant by Evolution’s second year apprentice and Young Industry Ambassador, Nathan Graham.

Nathan is currently enrolled in Kangan TAFE Certificate III Engineering – Composites Trades and underwent professional development training with the Australian Industry Group to qualify as a Young Industry Ambassador.

Young Industry Ambassadors are trained to talk about their own career pathway to targeted groups of secondary school students and pre-apprentice students from TAFE and hosting them at their own worksite.

'Statistics tell us we will have an apprentice attrition rate of around 50% of new boatbuilding and repair apprentices and this is a program that will see these apprentices stay on deck' said BIAV President Mr Andrew Warner.

'We are now in the fortunate position of having two Victorian training providers for our boatbuilding and repair apprentices and the BIAV will be working hard to ensure we can sustain apprentice supply and retain the apprentices entering our industry.

'Selecting our best and brightest apprentices as Young Industry Ambassadors is a vital component in this effort' said Andrew Warner.

The Young Industry Ambassador Program is funded by the Australian Government as part of the Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Package.

BIAV would like to make special mention of Sue Wells DEECD, Phil Bovis Kangan TAFE, Judith Graham AIG and Kaz Erbs LLEN for their contribution to the sustainability of our industry.

www.biavic.com.au