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Following an incredible year of growth in 2025, Boating Careers is excited to announce the full schedule of 2026 Industry Immersion Days, set to run across Victoria next year.

These immersions have become one of the most impactful ways for secondary students to experience the marine and maritime sector firsthand meeting employers, exploring workshops, stepping aboard working vessels, and seeing real career opportunities in action.

In 2026, the program expands even further, reaching more schools, more regions, and more marine businesses than ever before.

Building on the Success of 2025

This year’s immersions saw hundreds of students travel through boat yards, marinas, manufacturing facilities, marine service centres, and waterfront precincts.

Across every region, from Campbellfield to Gippsland, students heard directly from boat builders, marine mechanics, trimmers, harbour operators, and marine retailers about the exciting pathways available in this skills-shortage industry.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students expressing genuine interest in pursuing apprenticeships, traineeships, and further study in marine-related fields.

These outcomes have strengthened our commitment to deliver an even bigger and more strategically aligned schedule in 2026.

What Students Can Expect in 2026

Next year’s immersions will continue to offer:

• Guided tours of marine workshops, marinas, and boat manufacturing facilities
• Hands-on demonstrations from skilled marine technicians
• Real conversations with employers about apprenticeships and entry-level jobs
• Insights into boating, maritime operations, composites, marine mechanical technology, trimming, and more
• Exposure to regional career opportunities where demand for skilled workers is high

Each immersion is designed to show students the diversity of the marine sector.

Supporting Local Employers & Regional Workforce Needs

A major focus in 2026 is strengthening regional marine industries, where employers consistently report skills shortages and recruitment challenges.

Immersions in Mildura, Echuca, Shepparton, Portland, and Gippsland will:

• Connect students directly with local marine employers
• Highlight real job pathways available in regional communities

• Encourage long-term workforce development where it’s needed most
• Promote apprenticeships in boat building, marine mechanics, and related trades.

Employers have told us how valuable these immersions are for building visibility, attracting young talent, and promoting career sustainability across the marine sector.

The Pathways

Boating Careers will once again partner closely with LLENs across Victoria, who play a crucial role in coordinating students and schools as well as structured workplace learning. Ideally employers and students agree to take it to the next step and enter into a school based apprenticeship where Head Start manage the Traineeship (SBAT) process. Their support ensures students who show interest during an immersion can transition smoothly into real marine apprenticeships while completing their schooling.

This collaboration between LLENs, Head Start, schools, employers, and Boating Careers ensures every immersion day is meaningful, well-organised, and focused on real pathways into the marine industry.

Dates may be subject to minor adjustment in collaboration with LLENs and host employers.

A Big Year Ahead for Boating Careers

With strong employer demand, growing interest from students, and a statewide schedule that covers most major marine regions, 2026 is shaping up to be Boating Careers’ biggest year yet.

We can’t wait to welcome schools, LLENs, Head Start teams, and employers on board for another year of immersion experiences.

If you know a young person, teacher, careers adviser, or employer who may be interested in marine and maritime pathways, make sure they follow Boating Careers on Facebook. We regularly post upcoming immersion events, employer opportunities, success stories, and program updates:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/boatingcareers