The naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry is set to expand in NSW, following the launch of the Naval Shipbuilding College NSW Hub, located within TAFE NSW at Ultimo.
The establishment of the College’s NSW Hub, together with the associated NSW Maritime Workforce Partnership, will boost skilling and workforce development opportunities and stimulate job creation for a prosperous, post-pandemic NSW economy.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Hub would activate the existing strengths of NSW defence industry, combined with the workforce development capabilities of TAFE NSW and private providers to support naval shipbuilding and sustainment activities into the future.
“It’s important we create opportunities to enable naval shipbuilding and sustainment contractors to deliver on Defence projects here in NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“The NSW Hub and Maritime Workforce Partnership demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to the workforce development needs of industry to ensure that highly skilled jobs flourish in NSW.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Hub and Workforce Partnership would also deliver apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities across the state.
The initiative will create roles for in-demand occupations such as engineers, electricians, fabricators, mechanics, project managers and logistics experts.
“Training will be delivered by Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE NSW, with the support and advice of the Naval Shipbuilding College,” Mr Lee said.
“In addition to world class vocational training opportunities, the partnership will deliver pathways to university degrees to support defence industry skills and workforce”.
NSW Defence Advocate Air Marshal (Ret) John Harvey AM PhD said the NSW Government is pleased to be working with the Naval Shipbuilding College to develop the future skilled workforce of Australia’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry here in NSW.
“A Cooperation Agreement was signed earlier this year with Defence NSW. It demonstrates a strong commitment by the NSW Government to supporting Defence and Defence Industry in NSW with the provision of industry-led programs,” Air Marshal (Ret) Harvey said.
Naval Shipbuilding College Chief Executive Ian Irving said the establishment of the NSW Hub is key to ensuring a truly national reach for the Naval Shipbuilding College.
“This level of collaboration demonstrates an emboldened commitment to develop new workforce pipelines along the strategically important east coast, specifically to support supply chain SME’s and companies supporting naval ship sustainment,” Mr Irving said.
“Activities at the NSW Hub will also support a coordinated effort towards promoting naval shipbuilding and sustainment as a career of choice, to ensure job seekers can up-skill themselves and become employment ready for cutting-edge careers of the future.”
The broader NSW Defence Industry Workforce Partnerships Program will be implemented in 2021.
The Program involves a collaborative effort between Government, Defence, industry, vocational training providers, universities, and other key stakeholders to develop the future skilled workforce to support defence industry in key regions and precincts, including Western Sydney, the Hunter, the Shoalhaven, Murray, Riverina and Capital regions.
To find out more about the Naval Shipbuilding College, visit www.navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au.
