Australia’s first digital shipbuilding course has commenced.
The Diploma of Digital Technology will change traditional shipbuilding in Australia by educating participants on digital technologies, and connecting workers and information systems to build the $35 billion Hunter Class Frigate Program.
Fifty-three shipbuilding workers, whose roles on the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Program ended on Friday, will take part in the digital upskilling program. During the course, students will combine theoretical approaches to Industry 4.0 technology with hands-on experience to prepare them for work at the state-of-the-art Osborne Naval Shipyard in SA.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said with the Air Warfare Destroyer Program coming to an end last week, this new course will retain important shipbuilding capability.
“[The] $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan is creating thousands of jobs in SA, with the workforce expected to grow from 2,500 workers today, to more than 6,300 by 2030,” Minister Reynolds said.
“As we build the world’s most advanced digital shipyards in SA, [we are] focused on fostering a world class Australian workforce that can leverage digital information and intelligence systems to facilitate greater innovation.”
Funded by the Commonwealth and SA Government, the Diploma of Digital Technology is being run in partnership between the prime contractor for the Hunter Class Frigate Program ASC Shipbuilding and Flinders University.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the program will create more opportunities for local workers to benefit from the Morrison Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding.
“More than 60 shipbuilding workers from the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Program will take part in this program – teaching workers the digital technology skills that are required to work on the Hunter Class Frigate Program,” Minister Price said.
“The broader skills that participants will develop will also support continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia, and will be a boost to workers in terms of their future employability.”
With the challenges posed by COVID-19, students will be able to complete coursework online, and when permitted, attend classes at Flinders University at the Tonsley Innovation District.