Two Grant High School students were among 16 South Australian students selected for a five-day Maritime Immersion Camp to explore career opportunities including engineering, naval architecture and trades in the maritime sector.
Year 12 students Luke England and Curtis Groenveld last week had the opportunity to dive into their future careers with a fully-funded maritime immersion experience spanning two states.
The program is supported by the South Australian Department for Education, Le Fevre High School, the Australian Maritime College (AMC) and the Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC).
From budding marine biologists to aspiring naval architects, 16 young South Australians are this week (Monday 27 June – Friday 1 July) diving into their future careers with a fully-funded maritime immersion experience spanning two states.
The learning adventure included fully funded travel to Tasmania to explore the Australian Maritime College (AMC), the national institute for maritime education, training and research at the University of Tasmania.
The camp featured a visit to the world-class testing facility Line Zero at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct, a deep dive into courses at Flinders University and a tour of Adelaide’s leading-edge Osborne Naval Shipyard where BAE Systems Australia is constructing nine Hunter Class frigates and ASC is sustaining the Collins Class submarines.
There, students also met professionals working in naval shipbuilding and learn about the free one-to-one career support offered to young people via the Naval Shipbuilding College, an Australian Government initiative.
Luke, who is working hard to achieve a high ATAR to win his desired place at university studying Maritime Engineering, specialising in Naval Architecture, said the course would allow him to complete the 2 and 2 program where he could study at Flinders University for the first two years for the engineering course and then transfer to Launceston where he would specialise.
“The part of the maritime sector which I am most excited about doing is naval architecture and looking at the construction and application of certain things on and around the ocean and water,” he said.
With physics and maths among his favourite subjects, Curtis was keen to understand just what engineering and technical roles in the maritime industry entailed during Maritime Immersion Week.
“Having the opportunity to experience what these careers may be like … will help me confirm whether I would like to study these types of careers in the maritime industry,” he says.
Growing up, Curtis has been fascinated by stories of travelling the world from his dad, who was formerly a chef in the maritime industry.
Boats are also a key part of family time for Curtis.
“Due to living close to Port Macdonell, cray fishing with my father is a large part of my life and another reason why I love the ocean and boats,” he said.
“Piloting and navigating the boat are among my favourite memories and highlights include fishing trips with my father and brothers.
“The careers in the maritime industry which I am mainly interested in involve engineering and technician roles.
“This is because of my love of building and seeing how mechanical mechanisms work, which can be attributed to my love of building Lego train sets from my childhood.”
