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The Naval Shipbuilding College, in partnership with US shipbuilding giant Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), has developed an industry-backed welding course to up-skill students at vocational training institutions around the country.
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Naval Shipbuilding College ‘know-how’ played a key role in creating a simple training kit that is now being rolled out by TAFE colleges around Australia to upskill students in welding techniques.
The college worked with TAFE SA and specialists from HII to develop a specialised training kit to provide students with the experience and develop expertise in welding within confined spaces, essential skills for developing Australia's sovereign naval shipbuilding industry.
Mark Scott, Naval Shipbuilding College manager of skilling services, said, "It was through our collaboration with our stakeholders that the college identified the needs for students seeking a career within the Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise to be trained in the specific area of welding in a confined space."
The training kit will give potential employers the confidence that students undertaking the course will possess the skills and training needed to be job ready. While the original kit was constructed in Adelaide, technical assistance packages containing the specifications and instruction for its construction have been distributed throughout Australia.
"Working together we came up with a solution that would ensure the welding components of the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, would meet the future requirements of potential naval shipbuilding employers," Scott added.
The specialist training packages include computer aided design drawings, measurements and specifications to support the manufacturing of the training aid as well as welding procedures and reporting forms.
The Naval Shipbuilding College (NSC) is a joint venture between KBR and HII, and provides a national hub for the management, implementation and collaboration between key stakeholders, along with delivery of naval shipbuilding career awareness programs.
The Defence Industry Education and Skills Consortium (DIESC), which is made up of the Defence Teaming Centre, the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, RMIT University, Edith Cowan University, TAFE SA, South Metropolitan TAFE and the Indigenous Defence Consortium, said it is encouraged by NSC's engagement with industry.
HII and KBR have put together a team from the shipbuilding, education, training, academic and business sectors across Australia to ensure the mission of the NSC is properly executed.
These organisations include the Australian Maritime College in Launceston; Australian vocational education and training providers (TAFE) in Adelaide and Fremantle; and AiGroup, Manpower Group, PwC, Defence Teaming Centre and the DIESC, all of which have an extensive presence across Australia. The team will leverage and build upon existing Australian capability to successfully deliver world-class workforce services for the college.
HII is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry.
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.
