"In coming years our people have exciting opportunities to work on the Collins Class fleet, ensuring it continues to serve the nation into the 2030s, as well as supporting the Attack Class Future Submarine Program," Whiley said. 

Each year, ASC selects apprentices from a highly competitive field and progresses them to graduation over four years, after which they are employed in full-time permanent positions across mechanical, electrical and fabrication (welding) disciplines.

ASC’s graduate engineering program exposes newly qualified engineers to all aspects of ASC’s submarine work, gaining experience in systems upgrades, sustainment, planning, submarine design, enhancement and life-of-type extension, among other areas.

Whiley expanded on the successful pipeline of talent development ASC is currently experiencing through the shipyard, saying, "Our graduating apprentices are now fully fledged trades people who have succeeded in one of the most challenging trade training environments in Australian industry. They are now qualified to work on the most complex vessels ever produced in Australia – Collins Class submarines."

"ASC is the design authority for the Collins Class fleet, requiring an extremely high level of expertise and experience from our engineers. ASC actively fosters the careers of its several hundred engineers and our graduate program is only the start of that process," Whiley added. 

ASC Group is Australia’s largest locally owned defence prime contractor, employing more than 2,000 personnel engaged in Australian submarine maintenance, upgrade and sustainment and as shipbuilder for Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyer and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.