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Australia’s BIA (Boating Industry Association) has bought Marine Jobs as a strategic acquisition to help focus efforts to develop and grow Marine Jobs (beyond online recruitment) and to create a wider programme promoting careers in the marine industry.

According to BIA CEO Andrew Scott: “The demand for skilled workers in the marine industry remains as strong as ever. As Australia’s passion for boating continues to grow, there is an ongoing need for qualified people to design, build, repair and maintain vessels and marine infrastructure as well as manage marine businesses and operations.”

Marine Jobs was launched in 2021 as an online recruitment platform. At that point it was a partnership between the Marinas Industry Association, Superyacht Australia and BIA.

“BIA has supported skills and jobs across Australia’s marine industry since its inception in the 1960s and we are now set to ramp up our efforts to another level,” continues Scott.

“BIA’s efforts to raise awareness of career opportunities and foster a skilled workforce are essential to ensuring the industry’s long-term success across Australia.”

Earlier this year, the marine association hit the headlines with its call for Transport for New South Wales to abandon its surprise boating fee hikes. In May, MIN reported that Transport for NSW planned a slue of boating fee increases, which include $900 more for a ten-year personal watercraft, which would now cost $1961.  

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BIA’s entire skills and jobs program will now come under the Marine Jobs heading.

In recent years, one of BIA’s key areas of focus has been promoting education and training programmes. The organisation says it has supported the development of a pipeline of skilled workers to help meet the evolving needs of the boating industry.

Over the past year, BIA says its skills and jobs initiatives have engaged thousands of young people via hosting careers days, school visits, work placement facilitation, apprenticeship recruitment support and supporting the Marine Industry Academy.

“Through its commitment to industry support and development, the BIA has a significant role in ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the sector. We will continue to work closely and collaborate with Marinas Industry Association and Superyacht Australia on initiatives and the promotion of marine carers,” says Scott.

In Australia, more than 85 per cent of the population live within 50km of the coast, so it is little wonder that almost 1 in 5 households can have a boat or watercraft. Approximately five million people go boating each year, estimates BIA with the industry’s national turnover (last year) equating to $10.12 billion. The sector directly employs more than 27,500 people, with more than 8,250 contractors. Seventy-five per cent are in small family businesses, employing local workers and supporting local communities.

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