BIA launches nominations for 2025 Apprentice of the Year Awards

BIA Apprentice of the Year 2024 Award Winner, Michaela Douglas of Douglas Marine with BIA President, Adam Smith © Boating Industry Association

The Boating Industry Association Ltd (BIA) today launched the 2025 BIA Apprentice of the Year Awards, aimed at recognising the exceptional contributions of apprentices in the marine industry and highlighting the importance of training and career development within the sector.

In 2025 the award is open to any current apprentice, or those who have completed formal training within the past 12 months, in the boating and marine industry, and are currently employed in the marine sector.

The Apprentice of the Year Award is open to all marine industry businesses; nominations are encouraged from BIA members and non-members.

The awards will feature State-specific recognitions across Australia, culminating in an overall winner to be announced at the new format Sydney Boat Show in August.

BIA CEO Andrew Fielding said apprentices were the lifeblood of the industry.

"BIA is committed to supporting the marine industry and one of our four priority actions is to help promote pathways into marine jobs and careers," he said.

"The BIA Apprentice of the Year is open to all apprentices working in all sectors of the marine industry. We genuinely want to celebrate the extraordinary talent we have in this nation, talent who can help us showcase the diversity of careers available in what is an outstanding industry."

The BIA is now in a collaboration with the Australian Fishing Trade Association due to the close relationship of boating and fishing, and in total the two organisations represent $21 billion in annual industry turnover and 135,000 people employed. Seventy-five per cent of BIA members are in small family businesses, employing local workers and supporting local communities.

Winners will be honoured with a trophy and certificate, along with a $500 voucher kindly provided by BIA Partner Repco Commercial to put towards tools for each State winner, whilst the overall winner will receive a $1000 Repco voucher as well as a special prize to be announced at the awards ceremony to be held at the Sydney Boat Show, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park on 14 August.

Nominations are now open and will be evaluated based on the nominee's achievements and contributions to their employer and the industry.

Nominations can be submitted via the online form here and must be returned by 11 July 2025.

For information on the Award go to bia.org.au/programs-products-services/programs/awards/.

For information on BIA go to www.bia.org.au.