Career Centre Alliance selected to recruit trade workers for $45bn frigates program

The recruitment of hundreds of trade workers for the $45bn frigates program at Osborne will have a strong indigenous focus under a new alliance.

An indigenous employment partnership has been selected to manage the recruitment of trade and production workers for the $45bn future frigates program at the Osborne shipyard.

As part of its appointment, Career Centre Alliance - a collaboration between the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) and Randstad - is expected to provide a pipeline of indigenous candidates for roles including welders, electricians, pipe fitters, riggers, scaffolders and production supervisors.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia, which is designing and building nine anti-submarine frigates for the Australian Navy, will need to employ up to 900 trade and production workers over the next five years during the prototyping and construction phases of the project.

They will form part of the 2200-strong workforce expected to be in place at the program’s peak.

Randstad senior consultant Peter Smith, BAE Systems Maritime Australia people director Adam Smith, Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium director George Mifsud and Zancott Group of Companies managing director Cameron Buzzacott. Picture: James Elsby

Career Centre Alliance partnership manager Brett Goodes said the alliance would leverage BAE’s existing technologies and talent pool to deliver an “end-to-end” recruitment service for the program’s permanent and contract workers.

“The engagement of the Career Centre Alliance and the utilisation of our information technology platform will allow indigenous recruitment and labour hire businesses to play a key role in building a sovereign capable workforce, which will include training and employment of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters,” he said.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia managing director Craig Lockhart said the agreement with Career Centre Alliance was crucial to building the country’s sovereign capability.

“This agreement supports our vision to ensure our shipyard of the future is very different to traditional shipyards; where our commitment to increasing diversity ensures our shipyard is an inclusive place to work where our employees can be their best selves.”

Trade recruitment recently commenced and will ramp up “in line with the operational requirements of the program”.