Edith Cowan University and South Metropolitan TAFE have partnered with the Naval Shipbuilding College to ensure WA graduates are ready to seize future jobs.
They will join a network of prominent education and training providers across Australia that deliver courses aligned with the future employment needs of the naval shipbuilding industry. This includes mechanical and electrical engineering degrees at Edith Cowan University and South Metropolitan TAFE’s Certificate III in Engineering-Fabrication Trade (welding component).
Naval Shipbuilding College Deputy Program Manager Duncan Powrie said the College’s expansion into WA continues at pace.
“We are rapidly establishing endorsed courses throughout every state and territory, which means more students will graduate job-ready for naval shipbuilding,” Powrie said. “Through collaboration we are strengthening student pathways into rewarding, long term, sustainable shipbuilding careers in WA.
“15,000 skilled and professional jobs will be created on the back of unprecedented growth within Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise. Shipbuilding, supply and sustainment businesses in the West are delighted to see their highly skilled future workforce taking shape.’’
Edith Cowan University School of Engineering Executive Dean Professor Daryoush Habibi said the partnership with the Naval Shipbuilding College is strategic and in tune with thealignment of the Edith Cowan University’s engineering programs with industry.
“It demonstrates our responsiveness to the changing needs of the workforce in WA and beyond,” he said. “The partnership will ensure that Edith Cowan University engineering graduates will be well positioned for the large number of job vacancies that will be created as a result of the growth in the shipbuilding industry."
South Metropolitan TAFE Managing Director Terry Durant said her organisation is committed to the partnership with the Naval Shipbuilding College, and to providing high-quality training and pathways into shipbuilding careers for students.
“The new South Metropolitan TAFE Naval Base Campus, will house the training delivery for heavy fabrication, marine fabrication, welding and composite apprenticeship training with a significant focus on Western Australia’s growing ship building industry,” she said.
“I’m pleased that the Naval Shipbuilding College is now co-located at our new facility, which is in close proximity to the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, and will provide mutual benefit for the partnership.”
Naval shipbuilding in WA is ramping up with the construction of Arafura class OPVs in late 2020 at Henderson and ongoing sustainment programs.