The Naval Shipbuilding College has announced the endorsement of a suite of engineering courses provided by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in WA.
The seven Bachelor of Engineering courses offered by ECU and endorsed by the College include: Mechanical; Electrical Power; Mechatronics; Electronics and Communications; Instrumentation, Control and Automation; Computer Systems and Naval Architecture - in conjunction with the Australian Maritime College.
Endorsement provides confirmation that these courses meet the needs of the shipbuilding industry in quality and consistency for these important programs of study.
The courses are considered vital to assist in creating a ‘robust’ talent pipeline for engineering careers identified by the naval shipbuilding industry. ECU is part of the College’s national Training and Education Provider Network.
“This endorsement by the Naval Shipbuilding College means students in WA can quickly and easily identify education options that will fast-track their career in naval shipbuilding,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said. “The [government] has also just announced an additional six Patrol Boats for the Navy will be built here in WA, so it’s clear there’s no shortage of opportunities in our naval shipbuilding industry.”
Chief Executive of the College Ian Irving said students who completed industry-endorsed courses across Australia would be well placed to take advantage of the careers on offer as a result of the growth of the Enterprise.
“WA will play a critical role as part of the continuous National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise with substantial construction and sustainment activities occurring in the west,” Irving said.
“Construction of the 21 Guardian Class Patrol Boats is ongoing and construction of the first of the 10 Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels recently commenced at the Henderson Shipyard Precinct.
“These programs are adding thousands of career opportunities in WA and across the country as the Enterprise ramps up and sustainment of the existing fleet continues.”
ECU Director of Defence Research Dr Andrew Dowse said the endorsements were a positive move for WA.