Australia’s marine industry is taking a significant step toward addressing critical skills issues/shortages, with the Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) introducing a brand new “Job Ready” training program for school students.
The initiative by OEDA provides the opportunity for all OEDA members (major outboard engine brands) to collaborate with associations within the industry; Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV), Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA Ltd), Marine Jobs, and Boating Careers to address a shared national challenge: Building the next generation of marine technicians.
After months of planning and industry consultation, the Job Ready” program is now ready for delivery.
The first official student intake will be in Victoria during the school holidays on:
8–9 July 2026
The course will be delivered at an OEDA member, Mercury Marine Training Centre, giving students access to a professional, real-world workshop environment.
The course is designed for school students to consider and encourage a future in mechanical trades; this two-day course provides a practical and engaging introduction to the marine industry.
Students will:
- Learn foundational marine engine theory
- Gain hands-on experience working on outboard engines
- Interact with real boats and marine systems
- Develop an understanding of what a marine apprenticeship looks like
- Complete the Marine Card component of the program, providing them with an industry-recognised safety credential
The program has been purpose-built to engage students at a critical stage when they are making decisions about their future careers.
By providing direct exposure to real workplaces, tools, and technicians, the course aims to:
- Build awareness of marine career pathways
- Increase confidence in hands-on learning environments
- Encourage uptake of the Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology apprenticeship
What makes this initiative truly unique is the level of industry alignment behind it.
OEDA members have come together, supported by BIAV, BIA Ltd, Marine Jobs and Boating Careers to design and deliver a program focused purely on industry outcomes. This unified approach reflects a shared understanding: solving the skills shortage requires collaboration, not competition.
The Job Ready course is seen as the first step in a broader national rollout.
“This is about getting in front of young people early and showing them what a career in our industry really looks like,” said Dan Brown, Manager Education and Industry Skills. “When students can see it, touch it, and experience it, it changes the way they think about their future.”
Following the July course, plans are underway to expand the program into:
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- And hopefully all states and Territories
Executive Officer of OEDA, Lindsay Grenfell believes “The OEDA Job Ready training program will become a key entry initiative to attract young people into considering or wanting a career in marine mechanical trades”.