First group completes new certificate
A July workshop marks completion of Cert. IV in Aquaculture Shellfish Management.
We’re pleased to report that this new course has been completed by our first group of students, during a final workshop at the Sebel Hotel in Launceston in July.
Developed by SMT, TSIC and Oyster Tasmania, in consultation with farmers, this new Certificate IV was created as a specialised pathway for students to progress their careers in oyster farming.
Using a series of workshops and workplace assessments, the Cert IV focuses on a core group of topics including Stock Monitoring & Management, Aquaculture Risk, Human Resources & Finance, Teamwork & Leadership and Planning & Coordination.
During the course, participants undertook group activities designed to help them test their ideas, whilst completing their workplace assessments. This approach has allowed students to share individual experiences with each other, which exposed the group to a wider range of ‘real-life’ oyster farming scenarios.
The workshops were presented by SMT trainers Adrian Patch, Mick Hortle, Ellen Duke, Heidi Mumme and James Garde.
Guest presenters included Dianne Maynard (Senior Management Officer Aquaculture Branch – NRE Tasmania), Duncan Spender (CEO of Oyster Tasmania), Rachel Brown (Program Manager – ShellMAP) and Robin Katersky (Barnes University College, UTAS).
SMT is planning to run another intake after Easter in 2023 which is to be announced at this year’s Shellfish Futures Conference.
New vessel commissioned
Our new tender has been named “Mariner.”
At 5m long and 70hp, this is both the smallest and newest vessel in the SMT fleet.
Following recent sea trials and survey, Mariner has been successfully commissioned ready for use in up-coming training. Mariner will be stored on the back of our largest vessel Navigator, to be used as part of the Coxswain courses and as part a of the Cargo Loading Operations for the Master 24 and 35 qualifications.
Mariner looks absolutely brilliant with blue sign-writing and the branding of the Stay Afloat mental health initiative which has been was achieved with the sponsorship of TSIC. Keep an eye out for the vessel on the water in Sullivan’s Cove.
More funding secured, with one snag
SMT calls for less red tape in training sector.
In June 2022, SMT successfully tendered for the additional funding necessary to meet the surging demand for training.
However, the twice-yearly tender process continues to become exceedingly bureaucratic.
The main reason is that each course (or qualification) requires a separate tender funding submission.
Furthermore, TSIC, who used to make these submissions on behalf of the industry, are no longer able to help with the process.
This is causing serious concern for the Tasmanian Seafood and Maritime Community, SMT, TSIC, TSGA and Oysters Tasmania, due to the excessive amount of administration required and the uncertainty around funding, which is tied up in the process.
Our industry does not get serviced directly by TasTAFE which has a more stable and secure funding stream; which provides other industry participants with stability and certainty.
With a request for a more stable commitment to industry training in our sector, SMT has written another letter to the Premier and the Minister for Education, in a bid to open the dialogue on this subject.
Fees for Ps
Unique problem attracts a unique solution.
Earlier this year, local oyster farmers noticed that they shared an unusual problem.
A number of newer workers found it quite difficult to get to work, especially where employees didn’t actually have a driver’s licence and because of the early morning start time. This is often compounded because most local oyster farms are not serviced by public transport.
Many employees are, therefore, relying heavily on family members and friends, to get to work.
We also recognised the commitment required of others to provide the 80 hours of supervised driving before a driver’s licence assessment can be attempted.
In an attempt to address this challenge and with the support of Oyster Tasmania, SMT has launched the Fees for Ps program.
The program offers up to 10 hours of formal driver training for suitable applicants from the oyster farming industry which can be counted as 20 hours of supervised driving and provided professional driver training that can assist learner derived pass their P test.
New team member at SMT
Please welcome Nonae.
In June 2022, SMT welcomed Nonae Luekhamhan as a new Administration Assistant.
She comes to us with over 10 years’ experience from the vibrant, local hospitality scene during which time she completed an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality.
Before this and prior to moving to Australia, Nonae worked in advertising in Bangkok. Here she also graduated with a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts from Rangsit University. Her unique range of experience locally and abroad, will add valuable new diversity to the SMT team.
