Flinders University courses are in the final stages of a rigorous endorsement process with the Naval Shipbuilding College, promising to give its students a head start in emerging defence career pathways as part of the Australian Government’s $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Program.
Through the Naval Shipbuilding College’s (NSC) national Workforce Register, future job-seekers are being provided with tailored advice on accessing education, training and career pathways.
It is the first South Australian university to engage with the NSC to support skills development in SA and create job-ready graduates.
NSC Program Director Bill Docalovich says an unprecedented range of opportunities exist for smart and skilled students to work on the world’s most technologically advanced projects.
“More than 15,000 skilled and professional naval shipbuilding jobs will be created to build and sustain the Royal Australian Navy’s future fleet, including the Attack-class Submarines, Hunter-class Frigates and Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessels,” Mr Docalovich says.
“With decades of naval shipbuilding and sustainment work in the pipeline, students have an opportunity to secure meaningful work over their lifetime, from the ship deck to the board room.
“Since its launch in November around 500 people from throughout Australia have already registered their interest in a naval shipbuilding career and thousands more will follow,” he says.
The NSC is partnering with education and training providers nationally to ensure courses are aligned with the future need of the naval shipbuilding industry and produce job-ready graduates.
Flinders University is one of the first tertiary institutions in Australia to partner with the NSC and progress towards course endorsements in computer science – cyber, and engineering including software, mechanical, electrical and naval architecture.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) Professor Clare Pollock says Flinders University is applying its research and educational strengths towards delivering a skilled and capable workforce.
“Our best and brightest will connect with naval shipbuilding employers through the NSC Workforce Register to work on exciting projects, right here in South Australia,” Professor Pollock says.
“Flinders has again secured internship opportunities under the French Embassy’s Nicolas Baudin Internships in France Initiative that will see students undertake internships with Naval Group, Thales and Dassault Systèmes in partnership with leading French academic partners.”
Robotics engineering student Caitlin Kramer is preparing for a six-month industry placement with Thales in France and is focused on securing naval shipbuilding work when she returns home.
“My desire is to stay and work in South Australia after I graduate and the rapid expansion of the state’s naval shipbuilding industry, has given me the opportunity to do that,” Ms Kramer says.
Professor Pollock, Ms Kramer and other Flinders University staff and College of Science and Engineering students visited the NSC at Osborne for an information session about education and training and other opportunities.
