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The Naval Shipbuilding College and key industry partners have welcomed announcements that over 12 weeks, 32 engineering students will receive critical hands-on experience through work-placements in Australia’s defence industry as part of the National Naval Shipbuilding Pipeline Scholarship Pilot program.
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Twelve companies across the country have supported placements for third-year students studying a range of critical disciplines, including computer and software systems, mechatronics, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering at RMIT and QUT.
Naval Shipbuilding College CEO Ian Irving said, “The National Naval Shipbuilding Pipeline Scholarship Pilot is a Defence funded initiative, facilitated by the Naval Shipbuilding College, which aims to strengthen the pool of future engineering talent available for Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise.”
These companies include BAE Systems/ASC Shipbuilding, BOUW Ballistics, Cubic Defence Australia, DefendTex, Department of Defence, KBR, Laser Central, PHM Technology, Products for Industry, Protonautics, Raytheon and RUAG.
“The support from industry to provide valuable opportunities for these students – at a time when companies are facing many challenges adapting to a post-COVID environment – is fantastic. The 12-week paid work placement provides students a unique experience to gain the industry relevant experience needed to hit the ground running post-graduation,” Irving added.
BAE Systems Australia is supporting eight students, with five working in Victoria and a further three getting placements at the Cairns shipyard.
BAE Systems Australia CTO Brad Yelland said, “BAE Systems and ASC Shipbuilding need thousands of the brightest and most innovative minds to deliver the Hunter Class frigate program and provide important sustainment work across the country.
“Many of our future workers are coming through our education system right now, and through supporting placements for these students we develop our future workforce. This is a positive step for these students towards securing a long-term career, sustainable career within the sector.”
One of the students BAE Systems Australia is supporting with a placement is Nimna Galaudage, a third-year mechanical engineering student at RMIT.
“When I found out that I will be completing my 12-week placement I was excited because I knew that it would provide me with the opportunities to challenge myself and to gain hands-on experience while working in the shipbuilding industry,” said Galaudage.
“This scholarship is not just a scholarship, it’s an opportunity for students like myself to immerse themselves in the shipbuilding enterprise. The shipbuilding industry is an exciting place to be, and this scholarship provides us with a front-row seat – it’s an experience that can’t be gained anywhere else.”
