Defence companies Babcock Australasia (Babcock) and HII have joined forces with the University of Adelaide, Curtin University, and the University of NSW to form the AUKUS Workforce Alliance (AWA) – a partnership dedicated to preparing a skilled workforce in support of Australia’s pathway to sovereign nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS Pillar 1.
The AWA will work together in a tri-lateral alliance, combining proven and trusted knowledge, skills and experience from across Australia, the UK and the US.
Working together, the AWA will educate the thousands of qualified Australian engineering, maritime and nuclear trade and professional workers required to support the nation’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise from infrastructure, sustainment, and supply chain through to disposal.
“Babcock is proud to be partnering with HII and some of Australia’s top universities in a true, tri-lateral alliance to form the AUKUS Workforce Alliance," said Nick Hine, Babcock Australasia Managing Director AUKUS and International.
"Collectively, we will equip the workforce with the knowledge and the skills required to deliver the most complex and largest Defence agenda in Australia’s history."
The AUKUS Workforce Alliance aims to establish a platform for skill enhancement and leadership to support development of a sovereign, nuclear-powered submarine workforce in Australia and lead the development and execution of upskilling programs, to focus on harnessing the full potential of Australia’s industrial base and foster research and practical experience for the future workforce.