In recent decades, workplaces have undergone numerous changes. These changes are due to the introduction of new technologies to workplace. In this paper we report a study in the maritime vocational setting. My study reveals that the introduction of new technologies into the ship environment and automation also leaves limited visible traces for the trainees to learn the job through pure observation at work. As a consequence, new learning and curriculum theories need to be applied to the current vocational education and training system to adapt them to the novel context.