The Boating Industry Association (BIA) is achieving remarkable success with its Marine Jobs program, which plays a crucial role in promoting careers within the marine sector. BIA CEO Andrew Fielding noted that since the organization took over the Marine Jobs recruitment platform, efforts to enhance career visibility in the industry have intensified, resulting in a 200% increase in engagement over the past year. The Marine Jobs online platform has experienced a 57% rise in views, and the associated Facebook group, “Find Your Next Career,” has attracted nearly 16,000 members actively seeking job opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to online engagement, BIA has expanded its outreach through 30 events across various states, directly interacting with over 1,500 young individuals interested in marine careers. These initiatives have reached more than 15,000 people, with the latest event at the BIA Sydney Boat Show engaging 600 school students. The 2026 BIA National Jobs & Skills Survey highlighted significant workforce challenges in the recreational boating sector, revealing a critical shortage of skilled labor that threatens the operational capacity and financial performance of marine businesses.
The survey indicated that over 90% of marine industry stakeholders are concerned about the lack of skilled workers, particularly in technical trades. Shipwrights and Boat Builders are the most sought-after apprentices, followed by Marine Mechanics and Marine Trimmers. Furthermore, there is a pressing need for non-trade skilled workers, with many businesses actively seeking sales and marketing professionals. With 71.9% of marine businesses recruiting in the past year, the survey underscores the effectiveness of a multi-faceted approach to recruitment, combining specialized platforms like Marine Jobs with grassroots engagement.
BIA is also collaborating with Federal and State Governments to implement structural improvements in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, focusing on updating apprenticeship curricula and enhancing skilled migration opportunities. For more information, visit bia.org.au.
