Findon Technical College at the forefront of Australia’s ‘most substantial’ industrial challenge
The premier and defence industry minister have made a major vow to high school students about a guaranteed job that “sets them up for life” while on a tour of an Adelaide technical college.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Students at Adelaide’s Findon Technical College have been promised a guaranteed “trifecta” by Premier Peter Malinauskas, as SA seeks to create a workforce for the Hunter warships – and promised next-gen air warfare destroyer project.
High school students across the state now have the opportunity to enrol in an advanced manufacturing program and leave with their high school certificate, credentials and a guaranteed job at BAE Systems.
The Premier said he couldn’t think of a “more exciting opportunity” for South Australians than the one offered to students at Findon Technical College – and other technical colleges across the state.
“They can come to a technical college like this, knowing they are going to acquire their high school certificate and earn a credential that guarantees them a job – a well-paid job, a secure job, but most importantly a purposeful job,” he said.
“I mean, that is the trifecta. I can’t think of a better opportunity for parents across the state; they can now provide their young people an opportunity to finish school and walk into a guaranteed job that sets them up for life.
“Imagine the responsibility that all the young people here today will have in building the machines that keep our country safe into the future. There is no greater privilege and now we have those opportunities before us. This technical college makes a difference.”
Mr Malinauskas was joined by local MP Mark Butler, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Deputy Premier Susan Close, Education Minister Blair Boyer, and local MP and Minister for Police Joe Szakacs – as well as a host of defence officials – for tour of the tech college on Wednesday morning.
It comes after the defence minister confirmed plans to build Hunter class frigates in Adelaide would be cut back, replaced with a next-generation air warfare destroyer project.
Yesterday’s announcement not only secured South Australia’s status as “the defence state”, but also ensured the future of thousands of high skilled, advanced shipbuilding jobs according to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“As the Premier said, a young student today learning a trade – whether it’s an electrician, a pipe fitter or a welder – can know that they can spend their entire working life at Osborne helping defend the nation,” Mr Conroy said.
“They’ll be building the most advanced anti-submarine warships in the world and then will seamlessly flow into the replacement for the air warfare destroyer. That gives them certainty to plan their lives, buy a house, raise a family (and) it gives the industry certainty to make the investments. It gives the defence of the nation certainty that we can always rely on South Australia to support the defence of this country.
“I want to pay tribute to the Premier and his government for their strong support, their strong investment (and) their co-investment in this future in training our students in supporting these endeavours.
“We will have a future made in Australia by South Australians and this is a great day for the South Australian defence industry.”
Of the $54b that will be spent over the course of the next decade, almost $30b of that will be spent in South Australia – an increase of $3b from what had previously been planned.
Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles said that the money will be flowing as of the next budget in May.
“That really gives a sense of certainty for the Hunter Class program, but for continuous naval shipbuilding here in South Australia,” Mr Marles said.
“We also understand that one of the critical challenges around building ships – and indeed building submarines – in South Australia and across the country is making sure that we have the people to do it with the skills that they will need to do it… Which is why what we’re seeing here at Findon Technical College is so important.”
More Coverage
Join the conversation
Home destroyed in devastating blaze
A huge fire has torn through a Meningie property, leaving an eye-watering damage bill and a home destroyed.
Read more
SA’s dirtiest suburbs and the $3m graffiti price tag
Ratepayers have forked out millions to clean up the mess left behind by vandals in just two years. Search the state’s graffiti hotspots and see where you area ranks.
Read more