The
Commander Fleet Maintenance, CMDR Rick Barnett may be on another
winner when it comes to recruiting technicians into the Royal
Australian Navy.
Two years ago CMDR Barnett, as a lieutenant commander and head
of FIMA Sydney, introduced the Navy Youth Program (NYP).
The program, later expanded to FIMA Perth, saw groups of 20 young
men and women attend FIMA workshops and do eight weeks paid work
experience.
At the end of the eight week period the young people were invited
to apply to join the Navy.
A majority of them did and some are already members of the Service
with others awaiting acceptance.
Two courses are currently under way.
In recent weeks in a new initiative, CMDR Barnett invited under
graduates from the University of Newcastle to do six weeks work
experience.
“Six students, five men and a woman, attended the course.
“Three have indicated they are interested in joining the
RAN,” CMDR Barnett said.
The students now return to university to complete their degrees
in a variety of technical streams.
Upon completion, and if they are still interested in a Naval career,
they would attend HMAS Creswell as junior officers, CMDR Barnett
said.
NYP participants join the RAN through HMAS Cerberus the RAN’s
principal recruit school.
