Newer shipbuilding projects are luring skilled workers away from the Collins class submarines
ENGINEERS are jumping ship from ASC’s submarine division, putting the Collins class sustainment program at risk, boss Stuart Whiley says.
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ENGINEERS are jumping ship from ASC’s submarine division, putting the Collins class sustainment program at risk, boss Stuart Whiley says.
ASC has to keep the ageing Collins class fleet going for years yet, but work on the Future Submarines and Future Frigates is luring their skilled workers away.
ASC’s future is uncertain because it does not have a guaranteed role on the Future Submarines project and there is speculation the Collins class sustainment might move to Perth. Mr Whiley told Estimates yesterday that since July last year, they have lost 24 of about 200 engineers.
“Certainly it’s not something we want to continue and we’ve put a lot of focus on turning it around,” he said.
“The biggest trend we’ve currently got is ASC uncertainty and career prospects within ASC.”
But there are glimmers of hope for the ASC’s future. At a major naval conference in France overnight, ASC signed deals with French industry to get involved with the Future Submarines. The future fleet will be designed by France’s Naval Group.
ASC announced a collaboration with Endel Engie, one of Naval Group’s major subcontractors. It also announced its intention to develop a joint workforce with FIVA, a major engineering supplier.
Mr Whiley said securing a role on the Future Submarines would be “very attractive” for engineers.
“If I start losing core skills … it definitely does put Collins at risk,” he said in answer to questions from Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick, adding that he was in discussions with Naval Group and Defence about a possible role.
Senator Patrick called on the Federal Government to commit to using ASC for the sustainment of the Future Submarines.
“If workers continue to be poached by competing companies working on the Future Submarine and Future Frigate projects, the availability of Australia’s Collins class submarine fleet will be put at risk which will in turn put national security at risk,” he said.
ASC’s shipbuilding division won a role on the Future Frigates — as a subsidiary to BAE — at what appeared to be the last minute after there were fears it would be sidelined.