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Naval Group Australia with support from the South Australian state government’s Skilling South Australia Initiative and the Adelaide Training and Employment Centre has launched a new program to increase female participation on the Attack Class submarine project.
The company expects to bolster rates of female participation by helping women attain entry level training in submarine welding, thus providing them with a lifetime of employable skills in the industry.
The submarine welding course, conducted over 10 days, will be offered free of charge to 10 applicants. According to Naval Group Australia, after the completion of the course, the participants will have accrued 60 hours of accredited training. The applicants will also be provided with introductions to Naval Group Australia’s host business network.
The package is expected to begin in September 2021 with pre-work training.
Following the course, participants can choose to apply for upcoming Naval Group Australia apprenticeships and apply their skills to a trade in Australia's submarine industry.
Chief executive of Naval Group Australia John Davis welcomed the opportunity to help build a stronger and more diverse workforce in Australia’s Attack Class submarine program.
“The Attack Class program will require hundreds of new workers in the next few years, as we get ready to start cutting steel at the new and modern shipyard being built at Osborne,” Davis said.
“We want to maximise the talent in our Attack Class team. A key part of that plan is supporting more women to identify and achieve their potential in secure trade pathways like welding.
“It’s important for Naval Group Australia, and our staff, that there’s a diversity in our growing team which accurately reflects the local community we are embedded in and working for.
“But we also need to inspire people from non-traditional backgrounds to take up trades like welding so that we achieve the number of skilled workers needed for submarine construction.”
Lynne Austin, chief executive of ATEC, explained that no-prior trades experience was required by the program.
“The demand for people with welding skills in South Australia is going to be significant over the coming years and decades, as the Future Submarine Program continues to expand,” she said.
Vice president future submarine program at Naval Group Lilian Brayle acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the South Australian government to help build stronger supply chains and a more experienced workforce.
“The Attack Class project will deliver decades of benefits for Australian workers, as we continue to create local jobs, both at Naval Group and in new sovereign supply chains,” Brayle said.
“This is a national endeavour, and we want all Australians to be able to play a role in the effort.
“In collaboration with our teams in France, the Attack Class is delivering the advanced submarine capability that Australia requires and secure jobs and career pathways that can last a lifetime.”
[Related: Naval Group secures nuclear subs sustainment contract]
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