iscover
Western Australia has announced a major skills training program to build an “AUKUS-ready” workforce in the state.
Funded through WA’s Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling (DIRU) Grants Program, the new initiative will focus on forming the foundational knowledge and skills needed to sustain naval nuclear programs, specifically AUKUS and the Henderson Precinct maintenance site.
The announcement of this program follows a rare opportunity in which the WA workforce had to provide maintenance on operating Royal Navy nuclear submarines earlier this month, showcasing the growth of defence-focused training in the state.
“Through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are supporting the tertiary education sector to produce job-ready graduates by investing in targeted, industry‑led training that strengthens our sovereign capability,” WA Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said.
“This course gives Western Australians the foundation to work safely and effectively in a nuclear‑regulated environment.
“It shows how our tertiary education providers and industry partners can move quickly to meet emerging skills needed under AUKUS.”
The program will be delivered in collaboration with Curtin University and H&B Defence and will see the teaching modelled strongly off UK and US nuclear submarine training programs.
The inaugural cohort will be made up of 40 students in existing careers as engineers, technicians and defence professionals.
Bringing in career professionals to the program aims to establish a workforce of professionals that already have quality experience in technical needs that can be adapted to nuclear submarine requirements.
“As the nation’s home of AUKUS, we are seizing the opportunity to build the capability to support this critical national endeavour,” WA Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said.
“By backing industry‑designed micro‑credentials through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are ensuring local workers gain the specific skills and safety culture required for the most demanding roles in the defence sector.”
Micro-credentials will be delivered through the DIRU program and H&B Defence later this year.
