The Australian Maritime College has suggested the federal government should fund scholarships or bursaries to encourage more students to relocate to Launceston and pursue a career in naval engineering.
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AMC principal Michael van Balen said there was a critical shortage in maritime engineering specialists nationally which could impact the country's future shipbuilding capabilities.
Mr van Balen has presented his thoughts in a submission to a Senate inquiry on developing Australia's sovereign naval shipbuilding capability.
He said the pipeline of student engineers and the existing pool of graduates were insufficient to satisfy demand for naval shipbuilding.
Mr van Balen said there was a small pool of secondary school students with pre-requisite science and mathematics skills, a broad lack of awareness of maritime engineering specialisations, and difficulty in attracting students to study courses in Tasmania.
"AMC has traditionally enrolled students in its Maritime Engineering program from across all states and territories, attracting a relatively small cohort with a pre-existing awareness and passion for the maritime industry, and willingness to re-locate to Launceston," he said.
"AMC is reviewing the structure of its maritime engineering program with the aim of reducing the amount of time required to study on campus.
"However, the hands-on applied learning environment is what produces the quality and job readiness of graduates sought by industry."
Mr van Balen said the shortage in professionals could be overcome in future by a scholarship and bursary program to attract students and assist with relocation costs.
He said the AMC, with the University of Tasmania, had a number of collaborations with secondary schools and mainland TAFE campuses to gear students up with skills required to participate in college courses.