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The global defence and aerospace giant has opened a new centre in Melbourne, designed to bolster sovereign advanced manufacturing capability.
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Boeing has unveiled its new Skills Development Centre at its aircraft components manufacturing site in Fishermans Bend, Victoria.
The $1.6 million centre is expected to house the training of current and new employees on advanced manufacturing technologies and processes.
According to Boeing, 25 local suppliers are supporting the construction of the 400-plus-square-metre training centre, which features two workshops, classrooms and training support equipment.
The first cohort of trainees is set to be made up of five members of the Boeing Aerostructures Australia (BAA) Female Apprenticeship Program.
The program aims to equip participants with the skills to assemble and install aircraft components, prepare and use aircraft support equipment, and inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft components and systems.
Graduate apprentices receive a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures) from Aviation Australia upon completion of the program.
“Between the centre opening and the start of our Female Apprenticeship Program, we are making a serious commitment to growing advanced manufacturing in Victoria with the best, brightest and most diverse workforce we can find and train,” Mick Sorrenson, managing director of BAA, said.
“The training centre’s focus on safety and quality will help ensure that we provide our team with the resources they need to produce complex airplane parts for Boeing.”
The opening of the new Skills Development Centre comes just a month after Boeing’s global Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business unit officially unveiled its new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center (ACFC) in Mesa, Arizona.
The purpose-built centre is expected to house the production of advanced composite components for current and future combat aircraft.
The facility is set to be operated by Phantom Works — BDS’ proprietary research, development and prototyping division.
Construction of the 155,000 square-foot (approximately 14,400 square metres) facility is now complete, with Boeing expecting the centre to be fully operational over the coming months.
[Related: Boeing unveils new combat aircraft facility]
