Training Opportunities

Well-trained and well-informed tourism staff are the key to achieving high standards in your tourism operation. There are a number of courses available for marine tourism staff wishing to improve their skills and knowledge.

Get Onboard Industry Training Workshops

Industry training workshops for operators, managers, office staff and crew are planned throughout 2006. These workshops will keep you up to date with all you need to know about operating in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Find out more about the workshop schedules and register your interest (see Download Forms).

Reef Discovery Course

(Formerly known as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Tourism Staff Certificate Course)

This course is designed for tourism staff who interact closely with clients and who have the role of informing clients about the Marine Park and what makes it special. It is a general introduction to reef biology, ecology, management and interpretation and is relevant wherever you work in the Marine Park.

The course is usually run over one day. A comprehensive training manual is available and you will receive a certificate if you successfully complete the course.

There are a number of presenters along the Great Barrier Reef coast. To find out more about forthcoming courses near you, contact the GBRMPA or see www.reefed.edu.au.

Bareboat Staff Training Course (Whitsundays)

This course is designed for bareboat operations staff in the Whitsundays. For this sector, it is a requirement that the principal or operations manager, the briefer and the radio operator are appropriately trained and registered.

During the course, you will learn about communication, marine safety and emergency procedures, the Whitsundays area, Marine Park management and best practices. There are two Learning Guides for the course.

Your knowledge and skills will be tested by short assessments including a practical on-board assessment.

Qualified providers present the course at the Whitsunday TAFE over four evening sessions. Once you successfully complete the course you will receive a Statement of Attainment.

To meet the training requirements for bareboat briefers and radio operators in the Whitsundays, you must also hold some additional qualifications (for more details see Related Links at top right of page).

• If you are a briefer, you are also required to hold a Radio Operators Licence and an Australian Yachting Federation (AYF) Inshore Skippers Certificate (or equivalent), a restricted coxwain's licence (if briefing for bareboats less than 15 metres long and a restricted master class 5 licence (if briefing for bareboats at least 15 metres long).
• If you are a radio operator, you must also have a Radio Operators Licence.

If you qualify as a registered briefer or radio operator you will receive a pocket-sized card from the GBRMPA verifying that you are appropriately qualified.

To enrol in the Bareboat Staff Training Course, please contact the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Cannonvale Campus. If you have any queries about the training requirements, please contact the GBRMPA.