NORSTA Maritime Ready Program

NORSTA Maritime, tasked with maintaining the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) fleet in Cairns, faced the challenge of rapidly building a skilled local workforce for their five-year, $70 million maintenance contract. To meet this need, Major Training Group launched the Maritime Ready Program with NORSTA, supported by Workforce Australia Local Jobs. The program aimed to provide a steady stream of qualified entry-level professionals ready for the demands of maritime maintenance.

Obstacle: NORSTA needed to upskill candidates in specialized areas like painting, blasting, fitting, and fabrication, while ensuring each participant was well-versed in essential safety protocols. The maritime industry’s high-risk environment also required comprehensive training in confined space work, heights, and other safety areas to prepare workers thoroughly for on-the-job challenges.

Solution: Major Training Group developed an 8-week Maritime Ready Program for 12-15 participants per intake, combining technical and safety training.

Key components included:

Targeted Entry-Level Skills: Customised training in fabrication and marine craft construction aligned with industry needs.

Safety-Centric Curriculum: Comprehensive training in White Card, Working at Heights, Confined Space, First Aid, CPR, and Issue Work Permits.

Hands-On Industry Exposure: Delivered in collaboration with Dawson’s Group, the program offered practical training experiences, including confined space and height rescue drills.

Outcomes The program successfully produced skilled, job-ready candidates for NORSTA, strengthening the Cairns maritime workforce and enhancing local economic opportunities. Through this collaborative effort, NORSTA ensured a consistent pipeline of capable professionals while promoting local industry involvement in naval fleet sustainment.