Naval Shipbuilding College opened

 A National Workforce Register has been launched to connect Australian workers and students with new career opportunities as part of the $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Program. 

FILE IMAGE: An artist’s impression of the BAE Systems SEA 5000 Future Frigate, Global Combal Ship – Australia.

The Register is being implemented by the Naval Shipbuilding College, which will provide a critical link to education and training providers as well as industry. 

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne officially launched the College last week in Adelaide, South Australia, at one of Australia’s largest defence precincts, Techport Australia. 

Program Director Bill Docalovich said the College is an Australian Government initiative being delivered by NSI (Australia) Pty Ltd, a joint venture between KBR and the largest shipbuilding company in the United States Huntington Ingalls Industries. 

“The College has a critical role to develop the workforce needed to support the continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise which will build and sustain Australia’s naval capabilities, create economic growth and secure local jobs for decades to come,” Mr Docalovich said. 

“The Workforce Register will enable people from around Australia who are interested in long-term shipbuilding career opportunities to express their interest and receive assistance through the skilling and employment process. 

“More than 15,000 direct and in-direct jobs will be created to build the Future Submarines, Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels, not to mention the workforce required around Australia to sustain the current and future fleet. 

“This is a nation building endeavour and the College is leading the charge to ensure Australia has qualified sovereign workers who are job-ready. 

“We’re partnering with training and education providers throughout Australia to make sure courses align with the future needs of the naval shipbuilding industry. 

“Naval shipbuilding offers a diverse range of skilled and professional career opportunities from working on the ship deck, through to project management and into the board room.” 

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Gabby Costigan said that preparing Australia’s workforce to deliver on these exciting naval projects is the number one priority. 

“The Naval Shipbuilding College will play a pivotal role in helping to develop the capability that we need to deliver future maritime defence programs including the delivery of the Hunter Class frigates.” Ms Costigan said. 

“With the pipeline of work ahead of us, we must continue to invest in the skills and education to deliver on the Defence plans.” 

Naval Group Australia Chief Executive Officer John Davis welcomed the new initiative. 

“We welcome the opening of the Naval Shipbuilding College as part of the Government’s efforts to bolster the naval shipbuilding workforce,” Mr Davis said. 

“We look forward to working with the Naval Shipbuilding College to ensure we have the right people with the right skills to deliver the Future Submarine Program.” 

Defence Teaming Centre Chief Executive Margot Forster said collaboration is vital to develop education platforms into shipbuilding careers for future generations and welcomed the College’s partnership with the Defence Industry Education and Skills Consortium. 

“The Naval Shipbuilding College will become the critical connector between industry and education and is a significant first step towards meeting future demand of the naval shipbuilding industry,” Ms Forster said. 

“The Defence Teaming Centre is uniquely positioned to engage and assist in the success of the College and our current workforce activities focus on shaping the secondary, Vocational Education and Training and higher education activities in Australia.” 

The College’s national Provider Network continues to grow with strategic partnerships in each state including with the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania. 

Australian Maritime College Defence Maritime Program Manager Aaron Ingram said the College will play a critical role in generating excitement around naval shipbuilding careers. 

“The College’s engagement with secondary schools is a necessary stimulus for prospective students to enrol in an educational institution, such as university, with potential intent of joining the shipbuilding industry,” Mr Ingram said. 

“We look at this as an effective ‘pull through’ into industry that will keep students interested and engaged as prospective employees of naval shipbuilding.” 

The College is working with TAFEs in each state on providing endorsed training courses, with TAFE SA’s welding component the first to achieve this standard. 

In the West, South Metropolitan TAFE Managing Director Terry Durant said her team is also excited to be working with the College to produce job-ready graduates. 

“As a long-standing provider of training and workforce development services, we welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Naval Shipbuilding College to ensure the workforce is suitably skilled and qualified for the industry now and into the future,” Ms Durant said. 

AiGroup Apprentice & Trainee Centre General Manager Dean Arundell said his team is excited to be the preferred group training organisation for apprenticeship preparation. 

“The College is successfully engaging with students, their career counsellors and parents who play an active role influencing their decision-making,” Mr Arundell said. 

The Workforce Register enables first time entrants, people transitioning from adjacent industries or up-skilling within the industry to connect with employers or education providers. 

To register your interest in working on the most technologically advanced, cutting edge projects in the world visit www.navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au 

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