British defence giant BAE Systems to play role in training AUKUS workforce

The next step towards Australia’s launch of the multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear-submarine project has been revealed.

British defence giant BAE Systems will play a key role in training the workforce for the multibillion-dollar AUKUS nuclear submarine project in Adelaide.

BAE Systems Australia this week signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malinauskas Labor government in South Australia to develop thousands of skilled jobs required for major shipbuilding projects.

These projects include the endeavour to construct a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact with the UK and US as well as BAE’s $45bn existing, troubled Hunter Class frigate program at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

The British munitions and aerospace manufacturer and the SA government have pledged to work together to develop the state’s defence industry workforce as the demand for skilled workers in this industry increases.

The announcement comes after the federal government promised that Australia’s move to acquire and manufacture nuclear-powered submarines would create about 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited BAE in northern England earlier this year. Picture: Andrew Parsons / The Australian/Pool

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said his state was spearheading the largest, most complex naval shipbuilding and defence projects in Australian history and building the requisite skilled workforce.

“This requires strong partnerships with industry,” he said.

“Through its expertise and experience gained through its UK business, BAE Systems Australia will be an invaluable partner as we undertake this important work.”

BAE has been named a “key employment partner” of the first of South Australia’s five technical colleges – Findon Technical College – where enrolments have recently opened.

BAE maritime managing director Craig Lockhart said the company’s Submarine Skills Academy in the UK had proven highly successful in training people to be ready for defence jobs upon graduation.

The Malinauskas government has committed $450,000 over three years to fast-track a software engineering degree apprenticeship pilot to help prepare people for careers in the defence industry.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed the new partnership with BAE. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The program aims to allow students to earn money while they are studying in partnership with the University of South Australia, defence industry and the Australian Industry Group.

BAE Systems Australia also supports a range of other defence industry projects in SA, including support for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program at Edinburgh Parks and on-board support for the navy’s submarines.

The company’s Hunter Class frigate project has recently attracted considerable controversy in federal parliament.

Australia’s auditor-general in May released a scathing report warning the Hunter Class fleet faced additional delays and cost blowouts, with a parliamentary inquiry revealing the former Coalition government signed the contract with BAE without a value-for-money assessment.

The warships were estimated to cost $35bn when the Turnbull government signed the agreement with BAE in 2018, but the project has already blown out to $46bn.

The frigates, based on the British Type 26 warship, have also suffered serious design issues, including being heavier than originally designed and potentially slower.

British BAE Systems beat Spanish and Italian rivals in 2018 to secure the contract to build the frigates despite evidence the latter options were better suited to Australia’s naval needs.

Originally published as British defence giant BAE Systems to play role in training AUKUS workforce