Shortage of students studying boatbuilding in NZ

Unitec lecturer and yacht designer exhibiting at Auckland International Boat Show highlights shortage of students studying boatbuilding in NZ

Unitec Institute of Technology lecturer and yacht designer, Rob Shaw has observed a shortage of skilled boat builders in New Zealand and says there are not enough young people coming into the industry to meet the demand for work locally.

“New Zealand is among the world leaders in boating technology but the industry doesn’t have a very high profile locally because much of the work is exported abroad,” says Shaw.

“All of the students who graduate with Unitec’s Certificate in Applied Technology (Boatbuilding) or a Bachelor of Applied Technology (Marine) are quickly snapped up by employers even now with the recession,” he says.

Rob Shaw’s yacht designs are also making waves on the New Zealand’s yacht racing scene – and enthusiasts will be able to see what all the fuss is about at the Auckland International Boatshow which opens to the public today - Shaw’s 9.1 metre racing yacht, Karma Police is on display at the event.

Shaw, a lecturer in Marine Technology at Unitec’s Department of Transport Technology, built Karma Police with the help of Certificate in Applied Technology (Boatbuilding) students. The project is also a core component to his Master of Design studies at Unitec, which he will complete this year.

Karma Police has only been in the water for a short time but is already building a reputation as a speed machine on the water. It was first in the recent Bay of Islands regatta and third in the 2009 HSBC Coastal Classic Race.

Shaw was a boat builder himself, working for Team New Zealand and Cookson Boats, before joining the teaching staff for the Bachelor of Applied Technology (Marine) at Unitec 10 years ago. While there, he began developing his own designs and has made a name for himself as one of New Zealand’s up and coming young boat designers.

“The Karma Police project was the first time we’d been able to get students involved in building a carbon composite race boat and it gave them an invaluable introduction to those building methods,” Shaw says.

At Unitec, students usually build project boats to a certain stage and then on sell them to cover the costs of construction.

“While this is a great way to learn, the students don’t get the sense of achievement of seeing a boat building project through to completion and building Karma Police has given them that opportunity,” he says. “It’s awesome for the students to also now see the success of the boat on the water.”

Karma Police will be open to the public at the Auckland International Boatshow at the Viaduct Harbour from March 11 – 14 and Shaw will be on board to answer questions about studying boat building and marine technology at Unitec.

ENDS