Upskilling Darwin maritime workers boosts resources sector

Maritime workers in Darwin are upgrading their skills while on the job, as a result of the Gillard government’s National Workforce Development Fund. The Commonwealth, in partnership with the workers’ employer Workboats Northern Australia, is contributing a total of $165,000 to train 65 learners in a range of technical, management and safety qualifications from Certificate II to Diploma level.

The Darwin-based maritime construction and logistics company services the booming resources and construction sectors of northern Australia. The Gillard government is working in partnership with industry to ensure Australians have the skills and training to take up jobs in these sectors.

Minister for Skills Senator Chris Evans recently visited staff and crew at Workboats Northern Australia’s offices at Francis Bay Marina.

"The Australian Government is assisting people from all walks of life to improve their skills and, in turn, access the high-skilled, high-paid jobs of tomorrow,” Senator Evans said.

“This training for a maritime and construction logistics company has broad positive benefits for the local economy as well as individual workers.”

Workboats Northern Australia General Manager and co-owner Emil Tatsula said the training was a major benefit to the company.

“By teaming up with the federal government on training we can more rapidly upskill, move upwards, and then backfill crew positions within the organisation, to meet the high demand for skilled maritime operators,” he said.

“At the same time we are also doing our bit in increasing numbers of skilled maritime workers by bringing in industry new starters and giving them the on-the-job training required to prepare them for what is going to be a very busy period in the Australian maritime industry.”

The Australian government is supporting workforce development and training for new and existing workers in Certificate and Diploma-level qualifications and nationally endorsed skill sets through the $700 million National Workforce Development Fund. The funding is supplemented by a co-contribution from industry.

The government contributed $124,000 for the training program at Workboats Northern Australia, while the employer contributed $41,000.