Future shipbuilding workforce to gain valuable industry experience

More than 30 engineering students will receive valuable work experience with Defence and some of Australia’s largest shipbuilders in the coming weeks after receiving Defence-funded naval shipbuilding scholarships.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated defence industry partners for enabling the 32 undergraduates to get a taste of life in Australia’s growing defence industry through the National Naval Shipbuilding Pipeline Scholarship.

Minister Price said the Defence-funded pilot scholarship program, administered by the Naval Shipbuilding College, aimed to strengthen the pool of future engineering talent available for Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise.

“It’s fantastic to see Defence and Industry pulling together in these challenging times to support placements for people who are keen to be involved in our national shipbuilding enterprise,” Minister Price said.

“This is a terrific new program that will provide future workers with valuable, hands-on industry experience.”

The scholarship supports a 12-week paid internship in Defence or a defence industry organisation and is endorsed by Engineers Australia.

“Participants are studying the in-demand engineering disciplines that the Enterprise requires, including computer and software systems, mechatronics and mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering,” Minister Price said.

“Australia’s National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise will need more than 15,000 workers across the nation.

“We must equip our future workforce with the skills required for a long and successful career in the shipbuilding industry while they’re still studying.”

BAE Systems/ASC Shipbuilding, BOUW Ballistics, Cubic Defence Australia, DefendTex, Department of Defence, KBR, Laser Central, PHM Technology, Products for Industry, Protonautics, Raytheon and RUAG are all set to host students over the coming weeks.

For more information about pathways to employment in the naval shipbuilding sector visit www.navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au