The Certificate III Engineering Fabrication Trade course at Western Australia’s South Metropolitan TAFE has been recognised as providing the requisite skills for Australia’s naval shipbuilding program.
The course was recognised by the Naval Shipbuilding College, a partnership between Kellogg Brown & Root and Huntington Ingalls Industries, which aims to grow the workforce for programs including the Future Submarine Program and the Future Frigate program.
According to WA Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery, the certification puts WA’s technical education sector at the ready for these major defence programs.
“This endorsement recognises South Metropolitan TAFE as a leader in defence industry training and places Western Australia at the forefront of providing a skilled and highly capable workforce to the naval shipbuilding industry now and into the future,” said Ellery.
The course has been developed in partnership with industry, and is also located within the Naval Base Campus, in Henderson. The $2.4 million campus brings together heavy fabrication, marine fabrication, welding, and composite apprenticeship training.
WA Defence Issues Minister, Paul Papalia, noted that the campus will enable students to pursue a career in naval shipbuilding.
“The courses taught at the South Metropolitan TAFE Naval Base Campus are the gateway to that exciting career,” he said.
WA is currently competing with South Australia for the full cycle docking of the Collins class submarines, as well as work on future Defence programs.
“The McGowan Government is committed to establishing Western Australia as the primary hub for the maintenance and sustainment of submarines and frigates. This would create thousands of jobs for Western Australians for decades to come,” said Papalia.