Apprentice surge as Incat doubles Hobart workforce

Aluminium fast ferry manufacturer Incat Tasmania has welcomed 15 new apprentices to its Hobart shipyard, including the highest intake of female apprentices in the company’s history.

Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said it had never been a more exciting time to join the company.

Clifford said: “We are currently building the largest battery electric zero emission ship in the world, and we are also well advanced with our discussions for the next build as well.

“We had a record number of applications for this apprenticeship intake at almost three times the amount for the same period last year.

“This shows that people want to be a part of our plans to revolutionise the industry by delivering more zero emission ships more efficiently than anyone else.”

Incat is building a 148 metre ferry for Argentine company Buquebus carrying more than 2,000 passengers and 225 vehicles, and is also moving to produce smaller electric ferries.

With Incat’s commitment to build zero emission ships, apprentices can undertake Clean Energy Apprenticeships and receive additional support from the Australian Government over the course of their apprenticeships.

Incat CEO Stephen Casey said plans to grow the workforce and shipyard were progressing well.

Casey said: “With this latest intake of apprentices, it brings the total number of apprentices on site to 63 and we’re proud to be employing more Tasmanians.

“Our apprentice training programme is one of the best in the world and this shows in the number of people who want to work at Incat.”

The latest intake of apprentices will undertake a Certificate III in Welding and Fabrication, with the company’s next apprenticeship intake scheduled for July 2024.

Incat is now the largest single site employer of trainees and apprentices in Tasmania.

Casey said: “Our plans are progressing to increase the workforce to meet the market demand for zero emission vessels, and our aspiration is to double the number of employees.

“Incat is the only shipyard in Australia capable of building zero emission ships in a state which has already achieved net-zero.

“This is something we are extremely proud of, and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.”

Further reading:
Incat sells first electric passenger and vehicle ferry
Incat offers smaller electric ferry alongside its flagship

Picture: Incat/apprentices with zero emission electric ferry