James

I am a sailor for past 5yrs onboard LPG careers,and the rank which i hold on my last sailing as a 2nd assistant engineer.now i would like to change over my career for a shore based job.

Studies take from 3-5 years to complete, and the current numbers are 12% up on the same period in 2008 (and show an increase of no less than 40% over the last three years).

Given the economic backdrop, this is an impressive demonstration of the continued willingness of employers to invest in the home-grown skills needed to maintain and expand their businesses.

The industry is sticking to its guns about doubling in size by 2020, and the Kiwi ‘brand’ continues to be viewed very favourably by overseas marine employers seeking skilled and motivated staff with a great attitude.

This agency does not get much call for Apprentices, but fully supports the programme whenever possible, as today’ apprentices are tomorrow’s workforce.

If you want more information on the BITO Apprenticeship programme, call BITO on 0800 600 242 or write to training@bia.org.nz.

Rob Everall
marinejobs.co.nz

‘Solving unique problems, or just coming up with a unique way of doing something has given New Zealand a manufacturing sector that involves more than 20,000 companies and employs a quarter of a million people. Around 14,000 of these enterprises employ fewer than five people; NZ manufacturers rely less on scale, than they do on being more canny in business, innovative in the way they work, quicker on their feet.
Better ways of doing things’

The marine sector comprises of more than 1,300 companies and 10,000 jobs, including 650 apprentices. Ahead of the recession, turnover was forecast to double by 2020 to more than three billion dollars. Forecasts remain bullish.

Almost half the population is associated in some way with boating and nearly a third fish recreationally. Best estimates indicate that there are 300,000 boats in NZ, with an average of 5,000 new ones sold every year, 80% of which are manufactured locally.

Kiwi employers will often expect more of their staff than similar businesses in other countries. The ability to turn your hand to a wide range of duties and to ‘think outside the square’ are rightly valued as being central to the ‘can do’ attitude to life and work in New Zealand. The NZ brand of boat building is synonymous with achievement, flexibility, technology and innovation.

Nowhere is this better exemplified than when Bill Hamilton emerged from his shed in Irishman’s Creek in 1954 with the first Hamilton Waterjet engine, to go blasting up the McKenzie Country rivers. Today, the company he founded employs around 300 people in Christchurch, and their jet propulsion units are found in craft all over the world.

Marine manufacturing and support is something New Zealand can be proud of. If you want to be part of it, or to develop your existing marine career, give me a call today to see how I can assist.

Rob Everall
marinejobs.co.nz