Login
iscover
The federal government has announced nearly $150 million in funding from the 2023–24 budget to deliver skills and workforce training for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
More than $128.5 million over the next four years will be committed to fund an additional 4,000 university places and for the Department of Education, according to an announcement on 16 May.
These places will be targeted at STEM disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, naval architecture, computer science as well as mechanical, electrical, chemical and nuclear engineering.
More than $3.9 million over two years will be made available to establish the skills taskforce within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The skills taskforce will work with industry, tertiary education sector leaders, unions and governments to build the skilled workforce needed.
Around $11.4 million will be committed over three years to extend the Defence Industry Pathways Program within the Western Australia shipbuilding sector.
“The AUKUS submarine program will be the most transformative industrial endeavour in Australian history,” said Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“Young Australians starting training now have a bright future ahead of them with secure, high skilled, well-paid jobs that will make an important contribution to Australia’s defence industry and our national security.”
The AUKUS plan for Australia to acquire and manufacture nuclear-powered submarines is expected to create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years across industry, the Australian Defence Force, and the Australian Public Service.
Under the announced funding, 800 places at South Australian universities will be announced in the cooperation agreement between the Commonwealth and South Australia.
An AUKUS Submarine Workforce and Industry Strategy will also be developed with the South Australian government to co-design a skills and training academy to deliver tailored education, training and skilling for the submarine and naval shipbuilding workforce in South Australia.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said developing highly skilled STEM graduates and a talented skilled workforce will build Australia’s sovereign industry capabilities and play a crucial role in delivering on the nation’s AUKUS commitments.
“These extra 4,000 places are in addition to the existing 20,000 more Commonwealth supported places already funded by the Australian government to address skills shortages in areas of national priority.
“This funding commitment will ensure more Australians have the opportunity to go to university and develop the advance technical skills needed to work on these nation-changing projects.”
