The Austral Academy headed north of Perth to Ocean Reef Senior High School and Kinross College to connect with high school students starting to consider their career options.
Ocean Reef Senior High School’s Careers Expo and Family Information Sessions encouraged Year 9 – 12 students and their parents to explore post high-school study options, career pathways and job opportunities.
Marking her first appearance at an Austral Academy event, Isabel Reyes (Accounts Officer) joined Ash (HR), Oli (Health, Safety and Risk), and Sinead (Quality Assurance) to promote careers in commercial fishing to students and parents. Many students who stopped by for a chat were currently in the school’s marine studies program- “assessing intertidal marine communities, pollution surveys, fish identification and much more.” The program provides students with an opportunity to learn how to sail and obtain their Scuba Diving and Recreational Skippers Ticket. Hence, there were direct linkages between Austral’s operations, careers in fishing and student’s interest in marine based work.
“It was a great experience for me to be part of the team representing Austral at the career expo. By listening to the team speak with parents and students, I learned a lot about how Austral can help students pursue a challenging and exciting role as a Skipper, Engineer, or Deckhand at sea, and was able to speak with some parents myself about what their child’s career at Austral could look like. It is nice to experience things outside of my normal work as an Accounts Officer looking mostly at numbers. What a great experience!” said Isabel.
The Austral team demonstrated to most students who were interested in a marine/ maritime career that a university qualification in Marine Science can take them to Government and research positions but also sales and marketing, policy, and operations positions in commercial fishing organisations like Austral. This is a key goal of the Academy: to educate students about the many possible pathways a tertiary or TAFE qualification could take you in the fishing industry. You don’t just have to be a Marine Scientist with a Marine Science degree, you could be on the Operations team of a private business working with the government on regulations. You do not just have to work on the mines with a Heavy Diesel Mechanic trade, you could become a Marine Engineer and combine what you’re good at with what you enjoy doing recreationally and where you like to spend your time. Just like there’s many fish in the sea, there’s many fishing industry career pathways to choose from.
“The careers expo at Ocean Reef Senior High School was an exciting opportunity to showcase the Austral Academy’s pathways to a career in the fishing industry. The experience highlighted that there is limited understanding about career prospects in the fishing industry and the entry options into a rewarding role on a fishing vessel. None the less, having a presence at such an event tickled the curiosity of potential fishers,” said Oliver Krcoski, Austral’s Health & Safety Officer.
Next stop: Sinead and Ash headed to Kinross College.
The College will welcome their first Year 11 cohort next year and are looking to how they can better support students’ subject selection and career exploration, particularly as new upper school subjects are introduced.
The careers expo coincided with the school’s parent-teacher progress meetings and enabled teachers to visit the expo throughout the afternoon as well.
“What a great school, the students were so engaged and asked great questions. Even for those who have no idea what career path they want, they still wanted to understand the Austral Academy. I was impressed how many staff came to visit our stand too, from the art teacher through to the associate-principal. They support the students and want the correct information to guide them well,” said Sinead.
“Not only did the students independently come and ask questions, but the dedication some students demonstrated towards their education and future was commendable. One student commuted from Mandurah to the College everyday for school and many others spent the afternoon helping exhibitors set up and pack up and asked meaningful questions when they could have been at home having the afternoon off instead!” said Ashley. “There were some great conversations with parents as well to the point that we may have convinced a parent to join our crew!”.
Austral engage experienced crew who are well equipped to train and develop young and new talent to the industry. The Austral Academy seeks to promote the many possible pathways available in the industry as well as the potential for people to embark on a sea change (career change) at any time. So if you know someone looking for a sea change or a mad fisher, get in touch with us today or check out our new Careers Hub!