South Australia

South Australia has recorded its strongest growth in apprenticeships and traineeships during the September quarter of 2019. Statistics released by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) showed a 20.6 per cent increase in overall paid commencements compared to the same period last year. Innovation and skills minister David Pisoni said SA was … Continue reading SA shows strong growth in apprentices and trainees →

A total of $2.9 million in funding will help Bae Systems Australia’s shipbuilding business, ASC Shipbuilding, develop and pilot Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies to build the Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy at the Osborne shipyard in South Australia. The Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) will contribute $1.45 million in grant funding … Continue reading $2.9m to drive digital manufacturing in Hunter Class frigates →

The final Air Warfare Destroyer, built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, has been officially handed over to Defence. NUSHIP Sydney is the final of the three ships delivered by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which includes the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia, and ASC Shipbuilding, supported by Navantia Australia. “I congratulate the 5000 workers who … Continue reading Final Air Warfare Destroyer completed at SA shipyard →

Local manufacturer Basic Trailers is expanding its operations in South Australia, where Holden’s Elizabeth plant was the center of the company’s production in Australia and where belief that this marks the nail in the coffin of Australian manufacturing is strong. Basic Trailers has expanded rapidly since opening in 2018, and will now move to larger … Continue reading Basic Trailers expands operations in SA →

In order to address the skills shortage in naval shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing, TAFE South Australia has signed an MoU with French engineering services company, Groupe FIVA towards an industry and educational collaboration relating to engineering skills  in manufacturing design. “Working with experienced industry partners will ensure our curriculum and skills development aligns with the … Continue reading TAFE SA and Groupe FIVA team up to tackle skills shortage →

Eyre to There Aviation intends to be Australia’s first manufacturer of electric aircraft, having signed a deal to build Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro aircrafts in Adelaide. Managing director, Barrie Rogers, said the electric aeroplane designed by Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel was marketed towards the flight training market. The company will initially import 15 assembled aircraft … Continue reading Australia to enter electric aircraft market →

Ballistics manufacturer XTEK has opened a new advanced manufacturing centre in South Australia in order to expand into new markets as well as new industries, such as space, according to an ASX announcement last week. The fabrication centre in Adelaide will be used to manufacture lightweight ballistic armour plates and helmets and be equipped with … Continue reading Local advanced manufacturer targets space sector →

Strong investment and reforms have facilitated a boost to South Australia’s vocational education and training system (VET), the premier announced on Tuesday. For manufacturers facing skills shortage challenges, this is welcome news. SA’s stream of funding boosts over the last couple of years contributed to a boost in skills training, according to the Productivity Commission’s … Continue reading SA delivers improvements to VET system →

Four projects in South Australia have received $150,000 each to pursue innovation in defence and industry research. Delivered through the Defence Innovation Partnership, the funding enables collaborative partnerships between local industry, universities, and the Australian Defence Force. Awarded projects in this round, the third so far, include the development of new electrically conducting carbon-based coatings. … Continue reading Funding awarded for defence-industry research →

Support for high tech skills in South Australia has begun in the SA government’s Skilling South Australia Initiative. The initiative covers cyber security, IT, and other digital topics, and is targeted towards companies in the state seeking to build their capabilities in these sectors. While manufacturers have not had to be as concerned with cyber … Continue reading SA government provides cyber security training →

Global aerospace and defence technology manufacturer L3Harris will expand its footprint in South Australia. The company will increase its workforce by 20 to deliver its MAAPS business, which develops marine control systems and simulation products. The company will base itself at Mawson Lakes Technology Park as it integrates its systems into the new Offshore Patrol … Continue reading L3Harris grows South Australia capabilities →

A new device to securely transmit data from anywhere in the world is being developed in partnership between Myriota and Motherson. Motherson, a full systems solutions manufacturer with ties to the automotive industry, will work with Myriota to bring the product to market. Myriota will contribute its know-how in the field of low-cost and long … Continue reading Partnership to make IoT devices in Adelaide →

A multi-stakeholder partnership to inspire the next generation of manufacturing kicked off at the 2019 Edinburgh Air Show on November 8. The Royal Australian Air Force, along with Boeing, BAE Systems Australia, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, SAAB, universities and vocational education providers, will run the program, named Astro-STEM. 600 students participated in the program … Continue reading Airshow inspires next generation →

The Australian Defence Force’s High Performance Computing Centre (HPCC) will begin construction in November. The $57 million contract to build the facility was awarded to South Australian company Hansen Yuncken, with the opportunity for local contractors to be involved in the build. These local subcontracts will enable Adelaide and South Australia-based manufacturers to commit materials, … Continue reading High performance computing centre to use local talent →

Enabling easier access to capital is one of the reasons behind a new initiative from the South Australian government to develop a cohort of angel investors. The Activate Angels initiative will utilise $450,000 in one to one matched funding to enable start-ups in SA to access private funding. “South Australia needs a robust ‘angel investor’ … Continue reading SA funds start-up investment initiative →

Japan-headquartered Bridgestone has continued its tradition of sponsoring the World Solar Challenge. Welcoming the announcement, South Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, David Ridgway, highlighted how the friendly competition had a serious impact. “For 32 years the BWSC has played a significant role in developing the brightest young minds from the world’s top institutions.” … Continue reading Bridgestone commits to solar race →

The future of battery manufacturing in Australia has gotten a little brighter with the announcement of Germany battery company sonnen being awarded the Australian Made badge and recognition as a manufacturer of South Australian products, by the Office of the Industry Advocate. The dual recognitions are an indication of the significance of the manufacturing operation … Continue reading German battery manufacturer commits to SA →

Global space companies have come to South Australia, with two major announcements during the convergence of space enterprises on Adelaide for the Space Forum and Australian Space Research Conference. Launch facility, Southern Launch, has signed its first agreement with a rocket company to have regular launches from its yet to be finalised rocket launch facility … Continue reading Global manufacturers to lift off from SA →

The VEX robotics competition will come to Adelaide for the first time in December this year. In part due to $15,000 in funding from the state government, the competition will be the testing ground for the teams which will go on to take one of 12 spots at the international tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, in … Continue reading National robotics competition comes to Adelaide →

Unions have welcomed reports that full cycle docking of Collins Class submarines will be kept in South Australia. The shipbuilding unions, under the banned of the Australian Shipbuilding Federation of Unions (ASFU), have campaigned outside of the South Australian Liberal state conference, and at the site of ASC Shipbuilding. ASC has recommended that full cycle … Continue reading Union encouraged that Collins Class to remain in SA →