Naval Group Australia has opened the call for its largest apprenticeship intake to date with applications open for apprentice fabricators to start in 2021.
The call for applicants for this latest round, is expected to see at least 13 new apprentices commence in early 2021 and follows the successful placement of eight apprentices in local SA businesses in 2020.
Naval Group Australia Shipyard operations manager, Rory Johnstone said that the Attack Class submarine program was seeing a significant number of jobs created, including many apprenticeships across all trade disciplines.
“Manufacturing 12 regionally-superior submarines over the next few decades is delivering benefits to our country, local industry, local communities and creating thousands of jobs,” Johnstone said.
“This includes both direct roles within Naval Group Australia and in-direct jobs created to support the new program including all major trade types, engineering, project management, finance and supply chain.
“These apprentices get the opportunity to learn new skills with our industrial partners in South Australian businesses alongside experienced welders and boilermakers in preparation to work on the Future Submarine Program.
“Our first two apprenticeship intakes received a lot of interest and I expect this will be no different with this latest round opening today.”
Managing director of local SA business Smart Fabrication Simon Kennedy said that apprentices learned new skills and were making a strong contribution to local businesses.
“The apprentices get to work with and learn from some of the best welders and fabricators that we have here at SmartFab,” Kennedy said. “We teach them the key skills they need while they gain a qualification and earn a wage – giving themselves the opportunity to set themselves up for life.
The 13 apprentices will have the opportunity to work in Naval Group Australia and MEGTs host network including Samaras Group, a multidisciplinary heavy engineering and construction company; or Smart Fabrication, a manufacturing and engineering fabrication company.
Once the apprentice has completed probation, they receive a letter of intent that will allow them to take up a role with Naval Group Australia following their apprenticeship and be one of the first tradespeople to work on the submarine program.