Shipbuilding industry looks for skilled workers stood down by coronavirus pandemic
Skilled workers who have lost jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic could get work helping to build critical defence projects – as a new shipbuilding college is built in Rosewater.
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Hundreds of skilled workers in industries affected by the pandemic could be redeployed to help build critical defence projects in a new workforce drive.
Naval Shipbuilding College chief Ian Irving is putting a call out to manufacturing, airline, mining, tourism and hospitality industries to unlock skills that could be used in the shipbuilding industry.
To maintain its skilled job focus, short courses such as an “introduction to shipbuilding” and other priority roles are now available online.
“Primes and their supply chain partners are still hiring and require a skilled workforce to achieve success,” he said.
“By offering virtual courses we can help people become job-ready for the shipbuilding industry, which allows organisations to continue with their recruitment and delivery of critical program milestones.”
He encouraged South Australians wanting to secure a job in the naval shipbuilding industry to submit their details to its workforce register.
Opportunities now exist for designers and drafters, project managers, schedules, quality, integrated logistics support and engineers.
Defence Industries Minister Melissa Price said $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise could provide a jobs lifeline for hundreds of skilled workers.
“Ensuring our naval shipbuilding industry continues to get the skills and support they need to help them to grow even during this time of economic uncertainty is crucial to the success of our continuous naval shipbuilding plan.”
New defence, shipbuilding college for Rosewater
A $4.7 MILLION technical college aimed at providing students with defence and shipbuilding skills, will be built in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
The Western Technical College, a partnership between the Government and Catholic Education SA, will cater for up to 500 students and will involve expanding the existing Rosewater Trade Training Centre in Russell St.
This joint investment will see the creation of new machining and fabrication areas and two laboratories to deliver Computer Aided Design, drafting and information, digital media and technology, and electronics and electrotechnology laboratories.
Education Minister John Gardner said students who complete their training will have the option to transition into employment through an apprenticeship or traineeship within the industry.
The project has the support of a panel made up of representatives from SAAB Australia, Naval Group and BAE Systems. Premier Steven Marshall said industry had told the Government they need people with work ready skills. New enrolments are expected in the second-half of 2021.
– Renato Castelle