Entry level

The Commonwealth, together with ASC, will develop an Early Careers Program, providing up-and-coming professionals with the shipbuilding skills needed to build and maintain Australia’s future submarine fleet. The program will be conducted in South Australia and Western Australia, with 70 participants commencing in 2023. It will support growth and development of skills critical for Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment programs, giving participants access to advanced technologies and training from leading submarine professionals.

Cost – Commonwealth funded and delivered.

Timing – From July 2023.

Impact – Will provide participants with hands-on training, encouraging them to pursue a career in the shipbuilding industry.

This initiative will provide opportunities for students to attain higher education qualifications which are a priority in the defence industry via an apprenticeship. The ‘earn while you learn’ aspect will alleviate part of the financial difficulty of changing careers. The students will also be employed by defence industry employers while they study, which will support new workers to both study and work in areas of high need.

Cost – $2.5 million to expand the degree apprenticeship pilot in South Australia. Commonwealth and South Australian Government co-funded and delivered.

Timing – Courses and programs will be developed in 2024, with the first cohort commencing in 2025–26.

Impact – 375 new apprenticeship commencements over four years.