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The West Australian government has announced an $18 million package to build a pipeline of skilled workers in Western Australia to attract Defence maritime projects to the state.
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This workforce investment will help provide the skilled workers needed to support upcoming WA defence projects and secure future defence work, expected to be valued at up to $75 billion nationally over the next decade.
The package includes $8.5 million for an additional $20,000 incentive, on top of existing financial subsidies, for shipbuilding employers to take on in-demand apprentices in readiness for a pipeline of future work.
A further $3.3 million will be provided to create new TAFE short courses to support Western Australians to upskill and become 'defence ready'. The package also includes $800,000 to create two new scholarship programs to encourage women and Defence veterans to take up a career in the defence manufacturing industry.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said, "This is a significant investment to help supercharge WA's defence manufacturing industry, creating vital employment and training opportunities for Western Australians.
"Further, South Metropolitan TAFE's long established relationship with the defence industry and expertise in defence-related training means Western Australia is well positioned to take on maritime defence-related work."
The program will be co-funded between the state government and industry, with each party contributing $5,000 per scholarship. It will create 20 scholarship opportunities per year for both women and Defence veterans.
WA Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia added, "Western Australia is continuing to invest significantly in the defence industry, with this workforce investment to provide local people with the skills they need to get jobs on these projects.
"These initiatives will not only bolster our capacity to complete current projects but demonstrate the state's readiness to secure billions more defence work in coming years."
Equipment will be upgraded at South Metropolitan TAFE, to assist with training students in defence-related industries.
Four new computer numeric control milling and lathe machines will be purchased to train metal fitters and machinists, with workshops customised to accommodate the new machines.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery reinforced the statements made by Premier McGowan and Minister Papalia, saying, "The West Australian government is establishing Western Australia as the primary hub for the maintenance and sustainment of submarines and frigates. We are creating hundreds of jobs for Western Australians over the next four years."
As part of the package, a dedicated defence industry team will be established at Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre to undertake careers promotion across all schools and provide advice to job-seekers and potential workers.
"The training opportunities that will come from this initiative are really exciting and will further enhance the attractiveness of learning at TAFEs in Western Australia, in particular the courses at our South Metropolitan campuses," Minister Ellery said.
"Defence industry projects offer incredible opportunities for the state and this investment will further strengthen our capacity to secure high-value, job-creating work."
A maritime defence industries toolkit will also be developed to provide practical advice for job-seekers and a dedicated 'Jobs in Defence' webpage and advertising campaign will be launched to continue to attract more West Australians to WA's defence manufacturing industry.
Further information about the defence initiatives, visit the Jobs and Skills WA website or contact the Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre on (08) 9599 8655.
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.
