First Trainee graduates from Port Authority Indigenous Female Traineeship program

The first graduate of Port Authority of NSW’s Indigenous Female Traineeship Tia Ping is celebrating her success while setting her sights on the next steps in a new career in the maritime industry.

 Port Authority of NSW’s CEO Captain Philip Holliday congratulated Ms Ping on successfully completing the two-year traineeship and achieving her Coxswain and MED3 qualifications.

“I am delighted that Tia has graduated and with two important maritime qualifications and a wealth of experience and mentorship under her belt,” Captain Holliday said.

“Port Authority launched the program in 2020 to provide First Nations women the opportunity to explore a new career in the maritime industry.

“The program provides trainees with essential on-the-job skills and mentoring while they attain formal maritime qualifications required to succeed and progress in the industry.

“As a proud woman of the Eora nation, Tia has been able to work and train on the traditional land and waters of her people across Sydney and Botany.

“Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tia has worked consistently to succeed in the program, learning new skills and studying at the same time. It is a significant achievement, and we are all so pleased to have supported Tia on this part of her maritime journey.”

Port Authority of NSW is the lead response agency for on water pollution incidents, playing a leading role in protecting, preventing, and minimising harm to the marine environment when on water incidents occur.

Port Authority Indigenous Female Traineeship Graduate, Tia Ping said she has learnt a lot throughout her traineeship and has enjoyed working as part of a team and responding to (on water) incidents.

“When I started I had no boating experience – now I’ve learnt how to drive a boat, what to do in emergencies and how to deploy equipment effectively,” Ms Ping said.

“Learning about vessels and becoming confident on them has been great and a real highlight for me, as was getting to work with other (response) crews like Fire and Rescue and Toll Helicopters to respond to incidents on the water.

“I love being on the water and am looking forward to continuing to pursue my career in the maritime industry. This traineeship has shown me how much I enjoy the industry and next I plan on attaining my Master 5 qualification.”

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