Naval shipbuilding to bring in thousands of jobs for South Australians
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South Australians are at the front of the queue for the thousands of well paid, highly skilled jobs the $50 billion construction of the government’s naval ships will create. In fact, the Marshall Government has already begun the critical task of training the skilled workforce that will construct the highly sophisticated Attack-class submarines at the Osborne shipyard.
“The ship building program is vital for the defence of our nation and delivering the skilled workforce to help build that capacity is of the highest priority for my government and the future of all South Australians,” said Premier Marshall.
The Osborne North facility is set to be one of the region’s most advanced submarine constructions yards. It is also expected that the on-site workforce will peak at up to 800 personnel.
Premier Marshall stated the Australian Government’s investment in the submarines and other frigates is integral to the development of a world-class defence manufacturing sector. The program will also help in the transformation of South Australia’s industrial base.
A Skilling South Australia project will create traineeships in the defence industry. Likewise, a collaboration between the Naval Shipbuilding College, Naval Group Australia, BAE Systems Maritime Australia, TAFE SA, and several South Australian small to medium enterprises, resulted in a customised traineeship program designed for the naval shipbuilding industry in South Australia.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the Naval Shipbuilding College had engaged TAFE SA to deliver training in a Diploma of Engineering – Technical and to gain industry specific skills focused on naval shipbuilding.
“Recruitment for the first intake of designer trainees, who will be employed by shipbuilding prime Naval Group Australia, has commenced and applications are open,” Minister Pisoni said. “It is expected graduates will be employed by naval shipbuilding primes, with some trainees hosted to supply chain employers to gain relevant skills and experience on defence projects creating a pipeline of skilled workers.”
Meanwhile, Naval Shipbuilding College Program Director Harry Riddle said it was expected that this would be the first of multiple intakes of the traineeship program since it is laying out the groundwork for future iterations.
“This program is critical in ensuring that when the demand for skilled naval designers ramps up, the shipbuilding industry will have access to people with the right skills and knowledge.”
TAFE SA chief executive David Coltman said the project was vital in helping to meet the needs of the defence industry.
“We are 100 per cent committed to delivering training that meets the needs of the defence industry to ensure we develop a workforce with the technical skills required,” Mr Coltman said.
Skilling South Australia is a $200 million partnership with the Australian Government to deliver the skills required by industry and ensure South Australians are ready to step into jobs and enjoy rewarding careers in the future.
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
