AMC Welcomes Funding Boost for Specialised Maritime Training (Australia)

The Australian Maritime College and the University of Tasmania today welcomed Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement of almost $12 million in additional funding for specialised maritime training.

This significant funding boost will allow AMC to train more seafarers than ever before, for careers aboard Australian and internationally flagged ships.

It will be delivered across a four-year period, enabling AMC to sustain ongoing training courses for maritime VET (vocational education and training) students who come from all over Australia, as well as develop new world-leading programs.

UTAS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen, said the Prime Minister’s announcement “secured the future of maritime VET training courses in Australia, thus supporting the training needs of this important industry sector.

“This funding will provide a stable base for AMC to compete internationally and help build on the already impressive economic benefits delivered by AMC to the state through students and research.”

AMC Principal Professor Neil Bose added: “A multi-year program of funding will enable staff to be engaged in development of the training courses so that Australia’s courses lead the way internationally rather than just being delivered at a world standard.

“It will also enable us to work with our partners, Hunter and Challenger Institutes, and other providers such as the Australian Maritime Fisheries Academy in Port Adelaide, to coordinate delivery of maritime VET training at a national level.”

In 2012, AMC delivered more than 163,200 hours of training for VET students in Australian Maritime Safety Authority-accredited marine competency courses, including Integrated Ratings as well as Master Classes (deck) and Marine Engine/Engineers.

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AMC, May 2, 2013