BOAT-BUILDING INDUSTRY BLUEPRINT FOR INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

The State Government today launched an innovative plan by the Gold Coast boat-building industry to overcome skills shortages and strengthen its national and global market share.

Officially launching the Marine Industry Skills and Training Forum, Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, said the Gold Coast was well positioned to become one of the world’s leading marine industry centres.

“The marine industry is one of Queensland’s fastest growing industries, employing more than 7000 people and contributing $1.4 billion to our economy annually,” Mr Welford said.

“The Gold Coast boat-building facilities at Coomera are the biggest of their kind in the southern hemisphere and employ thousands of skilled craftspeople.

“The luxury yachts, cruisers and marine craft produced on the Gold Coast are currently sold in more than 30 countries.

“This new plan will underpin the industry on the Gold Coast for the next two years by ensuring skills shortages are identified and overcome.

“I want to congratulate local industry leaders who have come together under the banner of the Marine Industry Skills and Training Forum to secure their industry for the future.

”This commitment to developing the industry further and ensuring its longevity in the national and global markets sets an example for others to follow.

“National marine companies and associations will be looking with interest at what the Gold Coast boat-building industry is achieving.”

Mr Welford said the Forum would share investment in training and promote initiatives such as school-based apprenticeships and customised marine training programs.

“This new blueprint for addressing the skills shortage follows three years work under the State Government-driven Boatbuilding Skills Formation Strategy,” he said.

“There has been an impressive list of achievements during those three years, to the credit of the Gold Coast boat-building industry and the Boating Industry Association of Queensland.”

Media Inquiries: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000