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The free online event is designed to help more Australian businesses enter the defence industry.
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Registrations for ASC’s New Supplier Forum 2022 have opened, designed to help Australian small to medium sized businesses enter the defence industry and work alongside the 1,200 local businesses that support the Collins Class sustainment program.
Hosted virtually on the 11th of August, the forum includes presentations from leading members of the company’s supply chain team, networking sessions, discussions on how to meet defence industry requirements as well as ensuring readiness through technical performance.
“As ASC looks to the next phases of Collins Class sustainment and the life of type extension, it’s critical that we continue to build and support local supply chain participation,” Stuart Whiley, managing director and chief executive officer of ASC said.
“Large defence projects provide suppliers with great opportunities for long-term contracts that can support their growth. We want to assist even more Australian businesses to be ‘ASC-Ready’.
“That will create more Australian jobs and sovereign defence industry capability for our nation.”
Already, ASC has achieved over 90 per cent Australian industry content on the Collins Class sustainment program, spending approximately $200 million with Australian businesses year on year.
According to a release from the company, they hope to grow this further.
Under the current sustainment schedule, the life of type extension is destined to replace the six Collins Class propulsion systems, diesel engines, generators and the power conversion and distribution systems.
ASC’s Australian industry content has been praised by members of the company’s supply chain.
Axiom Precision Manufacturing general manager Craig Maynard explained that his company has partnered with ASC for nine years, greatly enhancing their industrial capability.
“We have grown to become one of the largest Australian-owned precision machining and advanced manufacturing companies,” Maynard said.
“Through our involvement with ASC, we became the first supplier outside of Europe to manufacture the main engine bearings used in the Collins Class submarines, providing Australian sovereign capability for critical sustainment items.
“The New Supplier Forum will be a great way to learn more about how Australian businesses can also be involved in the LOTE program, which might provide decades more work.”
In June, ASC launched their recent program to hire more than 25 new apprentices for roles in South Australia and Western Australia.
According to the company, the apprenticeships were tailored to individuals looking to begin their trades careers including metal fabrication, electrical and mechanical engineering, with a special emphasis on recruiting more women to join the defence industry.
Currently, the company employs 74 apprentices, and has doubled the number of female participants from six to 11 since the end of last year.
Throughout the apprenticeship program, participants receive on-the-job training and theory from ASC professionals, providing pathways for careers in the Australian submarine industry.
Currently, ASC provides major and minor sustainment to the Collins Class submarines at their Osborne, SA and Henderson, WA bases, with the life of type extension ensuring that the fleet can continue operations until the 2040s.
[Related: ASC launches new apprenticeship drive]
