The South Australian government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian entity of Huntington Ingalls Industries, HII Nuclear Australia, to boost the state’s defence industry workforce, skills, and supply chain.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Deputy Premier Susan Close met with President of HII Nuclear Australia Michael Lempke at an industry briefing in Adelaide, for the US shipbuilder to share opportunities with over 100 representatives from South Australian businesses to export their products and services beyond Australian defence projects and win work as part of the Virginia Class Submarine program.
The MoU with the State Government outlines the shared intent of both parties to embark on a cooperative working arrangement – leveraging HII’s international industry learnings to prepare South Australia for the major shipbuilding projects on the horizon.
"The AUKUS pact provides an enormous opportunity for Australian defence manufacturers to create highly skilled jobs by supplying Australian submarines made in Australia," said Peter Malinauskas.
"But it is also an opportunity to create new opportunities to supply Australian skills and technology into supply chains in the US and UK. To do that – we need to make sure we have enough skilled workers. We are pleased to be partnering with the HII on this endeavour – applying their extensive experience to the enormous economic opportunity we have here in South Australia."
The State Government and HII Nuclear Australia will work with local companies, academia and education providers to develop a skilled workforce and strengthen Australia’s industry capability, including through workforce and skills interventions, supply chain capability uplift programs, and pilot programs for innovative approaches to skills delivery.