How One Student’s Struggles Inspired Skipper Training Innovation

Joel’s journey is an inspiring one. He had grown up on the water and started working full-time at sea commercially when he was 16.

Joel is dyslexic. Despite his wealth of hands-on experience and skills, he couldn’t navigate the new Training Record Book and Polytech theory course. The academic setting left him feeling overwhelmed and alone.

Had he tried just a few months earlier, he could have gone for his Local Launch Operator (LLO), but that ticket disappeared when SeaCert came into effect.

As his tutor, we tried the best we could at the time, but the system was rigid. It didn’t leave room for someone like Joel, who learned better through doing, not trying to interpret the illogical wording of the record book and sit in a classroom for 5 weeks.

Joel wasn’t able to complete the program, and had to go home without his ticket. He has been paying another skipper to drive his boat ever since. It was an utter failure of our education system, discriminating against neuro-diverse learners and creating barriers to progression. I have no doubt this is contributing to our critical skills shortage in the maritime industry.

It was a tough blow that had a profound impact not only on Joel but also on me. I had a number of students during my few years at the Polytech who struggled to get their TRBs signed off before coming on the course. In response, I asked the school if we could hire a boat and sign off the books as we saw students complete the tasks, but was turned down.

That led me to inventing a practical course where we deliver some theory in the classroom before going out on the boat each week to put the learning into practice.

Skipper Training NZ has grown, and I get to work with fantastic team of people who all share a common passion for developing confidence in mariners.

Coming back to get his ticket wasn’t easy for Joel. The memories of struggling with the classroom and the fear of failure weighed heavy on him. It took a massive amount of courage to try again.

“I’ve spent years on the sea—longer than most people in my position. It’s what I’m good at, but the classroom always made me feel like I was no good”, Joel admits. “This time, it felt different. I wasn’t just sitting at a desk. I was out on the boat, learning by doing. That’s where I shine.”

The teamwork and tutor support also stood out to Joel, along with a lot of help from Sharon from our Student Engagement office before he arrived and throughout the block course.

Joel’s story shows how important it is to teach in ways that fit different types of learners. It’s healthy to have different schools offering different methods.

It’s also a story of resilience and empowerment. He is living proof that with determination and the right support, anyone can succeed.

“Don’t give up,” Joel says. “Even if the system didn’t work for you, there’s another way—and it works.”