A pilot scheme aimed at boosting the recruitment of technical sailors to the RAN has seen 20 young men and women begin 12 weeks of paid work experience at FIMA/Sydney.

It is hoped the 20 will enjoy the experience and decide to join the RAN upon completion of their training.

The Navy Youth Program is the initiative of the commanding officer of FIMA/Sydney, LCDR Rick Barnett.

The Director General of Naval Personnel and Training supported the initiative by providing $185,000 under the Navy's Strategic HR Plan.

Given clearance to proceed LCDR Barnett sought the help of employment agency Reliable People Worldwide, which in turn placed advertisements seeking interested young people in suburban newspapers in Sydney and on the Central Coast.

"We had 60 enquiries," LCDR Barnett said.

"Twenty young people, 18 men and two women, aged from 17 to 22 years, were selected.

"Some come from Gosford, others from the southern suburbs of Sydney."

All 20 arrived on time at FIMA/Sydney on Monday, September 24, were issued with pairs of Navy overalls and golf caps and welcomed to the scheme by the Navy's CSE CAPT Paul Field.

He told the 20 that the work they will do over the next three months "will be helping the Navy do its business.

"I want you to be inquisitive. There is no such thing as a dumb question.

"Ask a lot of questions."

He warned, "You are in for a real culture shock.

"You will learn a whole new language. The Navy is a unique place," CAPT Field pointed out.

The young people's first day was spent settling in, receiving basic instruction on first aid, workplace safety, equity and diversity.

For the 60 hours the young people will be with the Navy they will receive $10 per hour in wages.

The 20 will be split into three groups, a ten and two of five.

The groups will spend time in the machine shop learning the basic skills of fitting and turning, in "corrosion and control" learning the art of metal cleaning and preservation, in the carpentry shop and in the electronics workshop.

"We would expect each of them to have completed a project by the end of the 12 weeks," LCDR Barnett said.

"For those working in the carpenters' shop it might be a table.

"Those in the electronics workshop will probably make a multimeter."

Workshop tasks will be augmented by going on to ships to help FIMA's permanent workforce of 180.

In addition the 20 will take part in regular PT sessions aimed at taking their physical condition to a standard acceptable to the RAN Recruit School.

Adventure training is on the PT schedule along with team building exercises.

FIMA/Sydney has employed a youth counsellor to work with the young people.

LCDR Barnett said the program can help the Navy's overall recruiting effort and has the potential to significantly reduce the current deficit of technical sailors in the RAN.

The participants are being paid the award wage for a normal 35-hour week and are subcontracted to the Navy by the employment agency.

This simplifies the administration of the participants for the Navy.

Story by Graham Davis