Adelaide-based ASC workers going to Pearl Harbor for training on US nuclear-powered submarines

The first group of Adelaide-based ASC workers are set to leave for Pearl Harbor to train on US nuclear-powered submarines.

The first of 129 skilled workers from Adelaide-based ASC will leave for Pearl Harbor on Saturday to work on US nuclear-powered submarines in the first AUKUS training program of its type.

Four engineers and nuclear experts met on Friday with Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas, ahead of United States training placements lasting between 18 and 46 months.

They are among the first batch of 30 ASC workers to deploy to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, in Hawaii, to directly train in the maintenance of Virginia Class nuclear-powered submarines alongside their US counterparts.

ASC workers going to Pearl Harbor to work on nuclear submarines. (L-R) Mechanical engineer Jacob, nuclear shift test engineer Peter, nuclear radiological control supervisor Steven and nuclear health technician Gary. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The first batch, from ASC’s South Australian and Western Australian operations, comprises mechanical fitters, electricians, engineers (electrical, mechanical and safety), along with submarine maintenance and battery crew.

Mr Marles, also the Deputy Prime Minister, said such unique education and training opportunities for Australian workers reflected the “rock-solid commitment of our US and UK partners to our nation-building AUKUS program”.

“This is another exciting step when it comes to developing the workforce we need for the AUKUS program, which presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Australians to take advantage of unique and exciting education, training and career development programs, both here and overseas,” he said.

“These highly skilled workers already have decades of combined submarine experience, having sustained our Collins Class submarines, and now have the opportunity to be upskilled by our US counterparts in sustaining nuclear-powered submarines.”

A total of 129 ASC workers will be at Pearl Harbor by January, where they will have training in naval propulsion.

This will involve a mix of classroom and on-the-job learning. They will return to key roles in WA, leading the sustainment of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines at Garden Island naval base, near Perth from as early as 2027.

They also will return as leaders to pass on their skills and train other workers at ASC, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas at a ceremonial cutting of the first piece of steel to be used on the first Hunter class frigate to be constructed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Nuclear health technician Gary, whose job involves ensuring work environments are safe, leaves on Saturday morning for the US, where his children will go to school.

“We’ll obviously be the first cohort from a knowledge base outside of Australia and we’ll come back to Australia and bring that knowledge with us to build the sustainability for our defence,” he said.

Originally published as Adelaide-based ASC workers going to Pearl Harbor for training on US nuclear-powered submarines