Mackay Showcase
Queensland Marine Academy
- Background
- What is different about this case study that shows how government and communities can better engage with each other?
- What are the key outcomes of the case study for government and community?
- What are the key learnings/insights about community engagement?
- What will sustain community engagement into the future in this case study?
This case study is an example of community reaching into Government to establish quality, accessible marine training for industry and structured accredited pathways for people to access employment, largely within existing resources.
Background
The establishment of a Queensland Marine Academy (QMA) in the Whitsundays is the result of many years of effort by residents, marine and tourism industry representatives, educationalists, local members of parliament, local government, regional development bodies and public servants.
Significant growth in the Whitsunday maritime industry was a key driver for the project. The marine industry in Queensland is geographically dispersed and segmented (fishing, recreational, tourism). The complexity of the training required by the industry has increased, especially the technological, safety and environmental protection requirements.
The QMA is a non-profit organisation managed by an industry based board, dedicated to providing training and professional development to the marine industry. It has signed an agreement with the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE formalising the services QMA provides through the TAFE system and established innovative training and accreditation initiatives with local High Schools.
What is different about this case study that shows how government and communities can better engage with each other?
A cross government Working Party lead by Department of State Development brought key local business representatives and regional public servants together with strategically placed central agency public servants. The Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (MWREDC) played an important project facilitation and linking role. A crucial and strategic alliance was established with the Australian Maritime College (AMC) recognised as one of the world's foremost maritime training institutions which provided guidance to the working party.
The creation of the QMA illustrates collaborative leadership. The cross government Working Group combines the local knowledge, regional understanding and passion with strategic, system wide linkages. The group was inclusive of local government, industry, community, school and regional public service personnel with central agency officials.
It is an example of community and industry groups reaching into Government and Government responding to their needs, aspirations and ideas.
What are the key outcomes of the case study for government and community?
QMA satisfies both community and industry expectations simultaneously. The community's requirement to have a structured pathway from high school through to employment has been achieved for young people choosing a career in the marine industry. The marine industry has access to high quality and relevant training.
The creation of the QMA has changed the way in which training is delivered in the marine industry. The publication of a calendar for marine training in Queensland enables industry to plan a training program using a number of training providers delivering training at various levels of certification, all brokered by QMA. Industry has access to high quality, local training and can anticipate when and where it will be delivered. Previously students were often required to travel to undertake training in other states and centres. Local schools are being assisted to incorporate marine training into their curriculum.
What are the key learnings/insights about community engagement?
The case study demonstrates that by engaging and thinking differently, significant institutions can be created by combining existing industry, Government and community resources and utilising these resources more effectively.
The role of local leadership and passionate, lateral thinking and persistent people with a solutions focus cannot be underestimated.
Government had to play a difficult role in balancing expectations and enthusiasm with funding and regulatory reality. By establishing a joint working group that was inclusive of all stakeholders at regional and central levels it made a significant contribution to the successful establishment of the QMA.
The role played by the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (MWREDC) was important. This organisation played a facilitation role between many of the stakeholders at a crucial time in the development of the concept of the QMA.
What will sustain community engagement into the future in this case study?
Good community engagement will be sustained by all sectors:
- continuing to work closely at regional and central levels to design and support quality training.
- facilitating local schools to incorporate QMA training into their curricula.
- setting high professional standards for QMA to meet.
- assisting training providers to understand the value of working with QMA.
Other languages