RYA and Yachting Australia training partnership

by Susan Boyd on 13 Jul 2006 The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) will work in partnership with Yachting Australia to deliver its internationally acclaimed sail and motor boat training courses in Australia.

The RYA is the world’s largest marine training organisation, with more than 2200 training centres around the world qualifying more than 160,000 people each year.

RYA Training’s Penny Haire said the RYA was initially approached by several high profile Australian sailing schools to offer RYA courses in Australia but it was important for the UK-based company to work alongside other relevant boating organisations, especially Yachting Australia.

'We will work with Yachting Australia to offer qualifications for ‘Coastal Skipper’ and ‘Yachtmaster’ in Australia which are endorsed by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. These are the same qualifications issued by RYA centres around the world and training will be conducted under the same stringent standards from which we have earned our uncompromising reputation,' said Ms Haire.

'It is our goal that this partnership will lead towards a mutual recognition of all student and instructor qualifications which will facilitate new job opportunities for Australians seeking work in the marine industry in the UK as well the myriad of other countries where RYA qualifications are held in high regard.'

Chief Executive Officer of Yachting Australia Phil Jones said this agreement is in the best interests of Yachting Australia’s training centres, the industry generally as well as sailing and boating in Australia.

'Yachting Australia recognises the very successful training schemes and resources that the RYA has developed over many years and the increasing recognition of their expertise around the world,' said Mr Jones.

The RYA is a not-for-profit association with 15 accredited RYA training centres in Australia based in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. RYA training providers include industry leaders such as East Sail, Sunsail and the Australian Maritime College who offer the complete RYA training programme for beginners right through to professional qualifications.

Ms Haire said that any future training centres in Australia will be established under a combined RYA and Yachting Australia banner.