New Pilbara marine cadetship program for school leavers

• McGowan Government election commitment for more traineeships for young Western Australians
• Pilbara school leavers offered new marine cadetship program in 2018
• 19 new positions created, 16 of them based in the Pilbara 

The expanded operations of the Pilbara Ports Authority is set to create more local jobs, including a new marine cadetship program offered to Pilbara-based school leavers.

A marine cadet will receive at least two years of training, which will include a period of shore-based learning prior to the opportunity to go to sea, as well as financial support towards required study.

The program will be run by the Pilbara Ports Authority, which will work with Port Hedland and Karratha senior high schools to progress the cadetships.

The Authority recently developed its Pilbara Ports Authority Workforce Plan to identify further employment opportunities.

More roles have become available due to the Authority's expansion of operations associated with the handover of the Port of Ashburton, emerging markets and increases in capital projects.

The Authority has created 19 new positions, including:

• Pilbara-based positions in health and safety, marine, landside operations, information and communications technology, maintenance, physical resources, vessel traffic services, dredging, GIS, community relations, project administration and finance;
• Two new Perth-based positions in commercial and legal; and
• A new graduate program, including a Pilbara-based graduate engineer, and a Perth-based development and trade graduate. 

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The Pilbara Ports Authority's workforce plan boosts jobs and provides further training opportunities in the Pilbara region.

"The marine cadetship program is an exciting initiative that provides the opportunity for Pilbara-based school leavers to pursue a career in the marine industry."

Comments attributed to Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:

"This is great news for the Pilbara, as we fight for local jobs for our local people. It will benefit our local families throughout Pilbara communities.

"I also couldn't be happier to hear that Pilbara Ports will be opening up such a fantastic job opportunity for one of our high school graduates.

"That cadetship will hopefully set them up for life in an exciting career that will always be in demand in the Pilbara, and right throughout the world."

Minister's office - 6552 5500