Svitzer: Investing in the Future of Australia's Maritime Industry (Float Your Boat program)

Svitzer hosted 40 Year 10 students that expressed an interest in the ‘Float Your Boat’ program at its Newcastle Tug base.
This is a new initiative partnering with the NSW Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Program to offer students first-hand experience and skills within the Maritime industry. Svitzer will be taking on board two of the program’s students in 2025 for a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program (SBAT). The successful candidates will acquire the necessary experience to work in the Deck Rating position on our tugs, with further experience and study then allowing them to transition to Master or Engineer.
With the maritime sector facing significant workforce and skills shortages, the strength of the initiative lies in its ability to expose new faces to the job opportunities within our industry, partnering with the Dept. of Education and other companies to help alleviate some of the costs involved in maritime training.
The Newcastle traineeships builds upon other traineeships Svitzer has underway in Geraldton, WA; a partnership with the Clontarf Foundation in Darwin, NT; and several other ports to bring online trainees in 2025. Svitzer is also working with the AMC on development opportunities for crew; investing in a million-dollar maritime training centre of excellence in Newcastle, partnering with the Navy on a Reservist opportunity and partnering with WISTA in fully funding an emerging leader program for women in the maritime sector.
“Increasing the diversity and interest in maritime careers is absolutely critical to the future sustainability of our industry and to ensuring a vibrant maritime in the future,” Svitzer Australia Managing Director Videlina Georgieva, said.
“We recognise the role we have to play as the largest private employer of seafarers in Australia and look forward to continue working with our customers and stakeholders to highlight the attractive and modern professions available in our industry.”