SAAB Australia to invest $40 million on Defence Institute ahead of SA’s expected defence jobs boom
SAAB Australia will invest about $40 million to establish a Defence Institute at Mawson Lakes in partnership with UniSA to prepare South Australian workers for the state’s expected defence jobs boom.
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SAAB Australia will invest about $40 million to establish a Defence Institute at Mawson Lakes in partnership with UniSA to prepare South Australian workers for the state’s expected defence jobs boom.
It would also oversee joint research between UniSA researchers and Saab engineers on new technology.
Defence Industries Minister Christopher Pyne said the deal was another step in ensuring the state had the required workforce for the upcoming defence projects.
“The Defence Institute will develop a source of sustainable science, technology, engineering and maths graduates by immersing them in real world problems and situations to bring academia into the heart of industry,” Mr Pyne said.
“Significant defence projects, such as the replacements for the Collins Class Submarines that will be delivered in the coming years, necessitate an increase in skilled people, especially in STEM subjects.
“This will also build on our indigenous defence capability and provide a developing workforce for future export contracts.”
The institute would complement the recently announced Australian Maritime Technical College, which, among others, would train high-school graduates and former Holden workers.
A Master of Military Systems Integration, which had been axed in SA following a drop-off in defence work in recent years, would be one of the courses on offer, as well as less formal study to ensure graduates were job ready for high-tech roles.
It would also offer internships, giving UniSA engineering students the chance to intern with Saab and its partners.
Mr Pyne said the Institute formalises a long-term relationship between the company and university, which would also see UniSA engineering students receive lectures from Saab scientists and engineers on real-world examples and experiences.
“The Institute will also provide opportunities for smaller companies in the defence supply chain to participate in industry-based activities, contribute to science projects and access a pool of well-prepared staff to upskill their own,” he said.
By the late 2020s, the naval shipbuilding industry would expand to more than 5200 employees in construction in South Australia and more than double this in sustainment and through the supply chain across the country.
Construction of offshore patrol vessels is due to begin at Osborne in 2018, before the project is shifted to Western Australia in 2020.
This will clear the way for the construction of the Future Frigates from 2020 and the Future Submarines from the early 2020s.
