The visit coincided with Mr Malinauskas unveiling a skills package to help drive training and skills development opportunities for South Australians keen to enter continuous naval shipbuilding.
Gone are the days where we wonder where the work will be coming from. Our challenge now is to make sure we have the appropriately skilled people to do the work.
Premier Peter Malinauskas told the apprentices.
The plan proposes 1000 new university, TAFE, trade and upskilling opportunities to South Australians as part of an uplift to support multiple naval programs, including construction of the Hunter class frigates.
“This is a big deal,” the Premier said. “Don’t forget, in the back of your mind, what you’re actually building. This is about protecting our nation’s interests at a really challenging time globally.
“We need (the Hunter frigates) as a nation to protect our interests. So, there’s actually a national service element to what you are doing here.”
For our apprentices, this is only the beginning. During the visit, Mr. Malinauskas and David Shephard discussed future government investment in programs that will draw more Australians into key Defence programs such as Hunter.
The State Government proposal includes:
- 300 university scholarships
- 550 trade apprenticeships
- 100 new places into entry level courses
- Grants for co-investment in state-of-the-art equipment, technology and facilities for training
- 100 upskilling and reskilling opportunities
- Opportunities for 100 vocational and degree apprentices in engineering
- Incentives for businesses to employ 80 engineering graduates
- Establishing the nation’s first TAFE Centre of Excellence in National Security
- Investment in STEM pathways to guide students from school into AUKUS related training and jobs
This announcement builds upon earlier State and Federal investments to strengthen Australia’s defence workforce – ensuring South Australia has the skilled people required to sustain continuous naval shipbuilding and build sovereign capability for decades to come.