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Global talent to head up HMAS Watson bridge warfare simulator course

Global talent to head up HMAS Watson bridge warfare simulator course

Serco Australia has introduced Royal Navy specialist Simon Latus as a senior instructor onto its Sydney-based bridge simulator training program.

Serco Australia has introduced Royal Navy specialist Simon Latus as a senior instructor onto its Sydney-based bridge simulator training program.

Through the federal government's Global Talent - Employer Sponsored program (GTES), Serco has been able to bring Latus’ unique skills to its Australian operations at HMAS Watson, supporting the Royal Australian Navy.

Serco defence managing director Clint Thomas said programs like the GTES are important for building highly capable teams that deliver exceptional outcomes for the RAN.

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“The nature of the training Serco delivers through our HMAS Watson contract requires very specialised individuals. Sometimes we can find our people close to home, but other times we must look overseas,” said Thomas. 

As the first candidate to cross the oceans under the GTES program, Latus said he was seeking broader horizons and had a keen interest in the RAN bridge simulator training program delivered by Serco.

“Originally from Hull, Yorkshire, in north-east England, I joined the Royal Navy in 2000 and became a Specialist Navigator and Principal Warfare Officer. I also commanded a patrol boat, and worked with the Royal Navy’s elite Flag Officer Sea Training Group (FOST),” said Latus.

“In between these roles, I held an exchange posting with the RAN, where I worked as the Officer In Charge of the Navigation Faculty at HMAS Watson in Sydney. My family and I loved our time down under and we vowed to return.” 

Thomas said Latus had already become a valuable member of the team and is helping to effectively prepare young RAN Warfare Officers for the most demanding scenarios they will face throughout their careers. 

“Recruiting an international candidate of Simon’s calibre in such a short amount of time demonstrates the outstanding success of the GTES program, and we’re proud to have Simon on the team.”