Craig McCloy had all his family to his graduation at HMAS Cerberus. Craig completed FIMA/Sydney's eight-week Navy youth program. Craig achieved an academic score of 96.1 percent and was one of the 102 members of Moran Division to graduate. Photo by LSPH David Connolly.

Nineteen-year-old Craig McCloy could be described as a new 'breed' of sailor.

Before he began his recruit training at HMAS Cerberus he had a good idea of Navy life, thanks to eight weeks at FIMA/Sydney completing the Navy Youth Program work experience course.

He had also been in the Australian Naval Cadets since the age of 14 and was a member of the ship's company of TS Hawkesbury.

Now Craig, from the Central Coast of NSW, has graduated from Recruit School.

He is the first of the NYP people to do so.

Many more from NYP have applied to join the service.

A large number of proud family members were on hand to see him graduate a few weeks ago.

He achieved an academic score of 96.1 per cent.

He was a member of Moran Division and was one of 102 young men and women to graduate.

The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton reviewed the graduates.

Craig, now a Seaman, wants to be a marine technician.

Today, as SMNMT McCloy, he is studying at the engineering faculty and undergoing his Initial Technical Training.

The Navy Youth Program was started last year by the commanding officer of FIMA/Sydney, LCDR Rick Barnett.

Recognising the RAN needs technical sailors he obtained funding, and help from an outside employment agency, for an eight week paid work experience program at his workshop complex on Garden Island.

Over the eight weeks the young men and women would rotate through the workshops learning basic skills in corrosion control, metalwork, electrics and carpentry.

They embark in sporting programs; learn about safety and occupational health and given the opportunity to go aboard ships.

If they liked what they see during the course they are invited to join the RAN.

FIMA staff assist them with their applications.

Of the first two courses, 36 of the 40 who took part, applied to join.

One of the first was Craig whose application was processed and he began the 11-week recruit course at Cerberus.

Like so many other NYP participants, Craig read of the scheme in his local newspaper and applied to take part.

Courses 3 and 3a are being conducted now with Course 4 due to start on July 22.

In addition young people in Western Australia are being offered the same opportunity for a career in the RAN with the expansion of the NYP to FIMA/Perth, situated at HMAS Stirling.

Following allocation of Defence funding, the first FIMA/Perth course is scheduled to begin on July 22.

LEUT Lucito Irlandez, the faculty adviser at Cerberus who helped with this story, said the Navy had been getting good intakes.

"More than 100 have graduated from each recruit course for the last six months," he said, there are 11 intakes annually.".

By Graham Davis