Shoreline
2026 update
We have had a remarkable result — the students worked hard and overcame many challenges, and we are all extremely proud of what they’ve achieved. Attached is a short report on the outcomes for the trainees the Trust supported in 2024 and 2025.
Click the image to open the 2024 – 2025 report.
In 2024-2025, Shoreline, supported by the Geoffrey Evans Trust, delivered a targeted school-based traineeship in Cairns for five First Nations students — creating a clear pathway from school to employment.
All trainees completed their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) alongside industry-aligned training in maritime and engineering. This included Certificate II qualifications in Maritime Operations, Engineering Pathways and Workplace Skills, as well as key licences such as White Card, First Aid, Working at Heights, Confined Spaces and Responsible Service of Alcohol.
Participants also gained specialist maritime credentials, including Long Range Radio Licence, Elements of Shipboard Safety, AMSA Medical and AMPA — ensuring they were job-ready.
The program delivered strong engagement and academic outcomes, with 95% school attendance and 100% achieving a C or above in English.
Most importantly, 100% of trainees transitioned into full-time employment upon graduation, supported by strong industry partnerships.
This reflects Shoreline’s model — combining culture, education and real employment pathways to ensure young First Nations people step confidently into long-term careers.
The Trust is sponsoring a second group of students for 2026-2027. Up until Easter, the new cohort of trainees has now commenced work experience and has already completed Elements of Shipboard Safety, Responsible Service of Alcohol, and First Aid.
Training photos. Click the images below to see them full-screen.
2024 update: ‘Shoreline Cairns School-Based Trainee Expansion’
Shoreline have been granted funding to expand their school-based marine traineeship program from 17 trainees across Years 11 & 12 to 30 trainees in 2024 and 2025.
Shoreline’s mission is to ignite and inspire positive change and determination for First Nation students. Traineeships aim to lead to sustainable marine employment pathways. Shoreline manages and connects schools, training organisations, and marine employees while providing mentoring and wrap around support to every student who passes through the program.
Shoreline has been supporting young First Nations students to connect and gain meaningful long-term employment for 15 years.
Critically, the Shoreline program provides the opportunity for First Nations students to obtain their school leaving certificate with two tertiary qualifications in marine and environmental fields. This is coupled alongside paid employment experience that sets them up for sustainable careers.
The Trust’s visit
In October 2024, Bev and Lois from the Geoffrey Evans Trust accepted an invitation to visit the Shoreline project in action. The Trust is supporting the current Year 11 students until they graduate at the close of 2025. Shoreline is taking them through their study, work experience and straight into a job. The trustees were able to experience firsthand the TAFE College, the educators, the employers who help sponsor the trainees, the Marine College where part of Year 12 takes place and as a bonus, were taken on a boat trip to Green Island, observing some of the students and graduates at work. The students were impressive and were shining evidence that the designed program was working. Jason Ryan, Managing Director of Shoreline did a wonderful job in introducing the trustees to key participants, making connections, providing history and entertaining as well as being chauffeur. A great experience, thank you!
See photos below.
About Shoreline
Shoreline provides senior high school First Nations students with educational and employment pathways in the marine industry. Shoreline connects schools with training organisations and employers, to ensure that each of our trainees obtains a vocational qualification while finishing school and gaining full time employment.
In partnership with local educators, mentors, and businesses, Shoreline funds and facilitates job placements where trainees are coached in ways that increase self-esteem and personal responsibility.
Shoreline is a DGR endorsed charity that operates solely in Australia.
Shoreline’s mission is to ignite and inspire positive change and self-determination for First Nation students.
Our programs create positive change for local communities through successful school-based traineeships that lead to sustainable employment pathways in the marine industry. To achieve this, Shoreline connects schools, training organisations and employers while providing mentoring and wraparound support to every student that goes through our program.
Shoreline has been supporting young First Nations students to connect and gain meaningful long-term employment for 15 years.
The core of our program is to build relationships with commercial partners to invest in careers for First Nations students. In collaboration with our partners we encourage, promote and educate young First Nations students about the opportunities in the local marine industry.
Critically, our program provides the opportunity for First Nations students to obtain their school leaving certificate with two tertiary qualifications in marine and environmental fields. This is coupled alongside paid employment experience that sets them up for sustainable careers.
Central to the program is providing opportunities to connect students with careers that reinforce their connection to culture and Country. We engage the disengaged, the key principle is making education relevant to these students.
