Shipbuilders retrain with Flinders University Diploma of Digital Technologies, to work at BAE

All 51 graduates of the first Flinders Uni course run with defence giant BAE have been given new jobs or promotions in the industry.

A group of 51 shipbuilders destined to be made redundant have retrained at Flinders University and gone on to new jobs and promotions.

The workers had all been on the air warfare destroyer program which saw the final ship delivered to Navy last February.

Instead of joining the dole queue, the workers began a Diploma of Digital Technologies, a new course created in a partnership between Flinders, TAFE SA and BAE Systems Maritime Australia.

The 51 workers began the course last March, learning about robotics and automation, cyber security, cyber-physical systems and other future-focused skills for manufacturing.

A graduation ceremony – the first face-to-face graduation at Finders in a year – has launched them into the next phase, joining the $45bn Hunter class frigate program.

The first graduates from the Diploma of Digital Technology at Flinders University include (left to right): Jaryd, a detailed designer; Rick, a senior ship liaison engineering officer; Luke, a supply chain analyst; and Judd, a detailed designer. Picture: Flinders University

Among the graduates was Jaryd, 26, who is now a detailed designer at BAE after seven years on the AWDs.

“The digital diploma has given me the opportunity to expand my career from my trade as fitter, combining skills I learned in the diploma with those I already had, to start a new career in digital design,” he said.

Judd, 34, who has also become a detailed designer, said the course at Flinders’ Tonsley campus provided expert support as he learnt about new technology and innovation.

Flinders vice-chancellor Colin Stirling was pleased the inaugural course had successfully been brought to life with every student getting a job.

BAE Systems Maritime Australia managing director Craig Lockhart said the diploma course combined theory of Industry 4.0 technology with hands-on experience.

“The students are already applying the skills they’ve learned over the past 10 months at the new shipyard at Osborne, where prototyping for the Hunter Class Frigate Program is under way,” he said.

“More than half of the group have transitioned from trade-based roles to engineering, project management and supply chain roles, and I’m looking forward to watching Hunter’s newest employees forge new career paths.

“It’s fantastic we’ve been able to retain this naval shipbuilding capability representing hundreds of years’ shipbuilding experience.”