The NSW Maritime Aboriginal Traineeship Program develops job ready maritime professionals through a carefully structured, culturally safe and highly supported two-year traineeship. It delivers Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) qualification, combining in-house technical instruction with broad operational exposure. Trainees rotate through various Maritime teams gaining practical experience across Maritime Environmental Services (keeping waterways clean), Boating Safety (compliance and education) and Product Services (customer service), building strong workplace knowledge and skills.

Trainees build maritime theory and vessel handling competence while learning the systems, behaviours and professional expectations needed to thrive in a work environment. As Learning and Development Officer, Transport for NSW, Daniella Peev notes:

“It’s just so inspiring to see how a traineeship can change someone’s life……and then it enriches the workplace.”

A defining strength of the program is its flexible block training design. Each month, trainees undertake one week of classroom or practical learning with an experienced maritime trainer, followed by three weeks embedded with operational teams completing AMSA aligned tasks. Rotations across multiple functions provide holistic experience, career visibility and responsive learning that moves between classroom and on water activities without losing momentum. Standards and Liaison Officer, Transport for NSW, Bahram Abedi explains:

“If there is one day when the brain is not ready to sit in the classroom, we go on the water and do the tasks practically…. If they’re very engaged in the classroom, we keep going.”

The training model:

  • Community engagement activities to build awareness of maritime careers, followed by joint recruitment with the Transport for NSW Aboriginal Employment Unit and a two‑year employment placement for successful participants.
  • Rotation through multiple maritime roles during the first 12 months to gain on water and off water experience supported by on-the-job learning.
  • Completion of 1,800 hours of blended training for the Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) including the AMSA Task Book.
  • Hands-on training with real maritime assets, including vessel operations in varied conditions to build the strong technical capability required to operate domestic commercial vessels.
  • Establishment of critical capabilities required to work in the industry, including digital skills to support trainees to become confident workers. As Peev observes, ‘they’re developing all those skills and then they can be role models for their communities’.

Program outcomes:

  • Since the program’s 2019 refresh, eight trainees across three cohorts have enrolled, leading to five graduates, three of whom are now in permanent NSW Maritime roles. Other graduates have been employed in positions across the wider maritime industry.
  • Earlier cohorts (2013–2018) also saw three trainees progress into permanent NSW Maritime roles, while two other graduates shifted into government careers.
  • The program’s excellence has been recognised externally, with NSW Maritime named a finalist in the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) Excellence Awards (Best Learning Culture in an Organisation).

Reflecting on long term impact of the program, Abedi shares:

“One former trainee mentioned that this was the best training he’d ever had, and he is now on a very good salary with qualifications we helped him earn.”

Benefits:

For employers, the program produces experienced, confident, safe operators trusted with high‑value vessels and familiar with compliance, inspections, audits and major event operations. The experience  energises internal teams, strengthens mentor capability, enhances organisational culture and advances the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitments. As Peev remarks:

“When we have a trainee, everyone comes alive and builds culture and diversity in the teams.”

For trainees, the model provides paid employment, uniforms, nationally recognised qualifications and the AMSA certificate of competency required to work. Trainees gain confidence, resilience and workplace readiness, often becoming role models in their communities. Abedi notes:

“We pay them to study, provide uniforms, and by the end of two years, they’re well equipped to work anywhere.”

To safeguard quality, the program has a dedicated program owner/coach, strong mentors, cultural safety, authentic on water training and an independent assessment. Leveraging in-house assets and partnering with employment units supports targeted recruitment, continuous improvement and a model that builds capability, strengthens culture and deepens community connection. Abedi advises the best outcomes happen when trainees take ownership of their traineeship experience.