Industry briefings on proposals to grow Australia's shipbuilding industry

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, welcomed the industry briefing on the Naval Shipbuilding College Request for Proposal, held in Canberra today.

Minister Pyne said the Naval Shipbuilding College – the first phase of which would be worth up to $25 million - would be critical in preparing for the considerable workforce opportunities provided by the Government’s continuous naval shipbuilding program.

“The critical thing is to establish a long-term sustainable industry with an Australian workforce. To do that we need to grow the pool of available workers in key trades like metal-fabrication, welding and boiler-making. The interest in the briefing is particularly heartening, with more than 70 attendees from across the country”

“Officials from the Department of Defence, as well as the Department of Education and Training met with a range of companies and potential providers interested in providing for the Naval Shipbuilding College,” Minister Pyne said.

Minister Pyne said while the Naval Shipbuilding College will be headquartered at Adelaide, it would provide opportunities for education and training providers across Australia, under a hub and spoke model.

“Today’s briefing was broadcast live across Australia to registered participants.

“The Naval Shipbuilding College will be truly national in scope. It will be complementary to, rather than competitive with existing institutions.

The Naval Shipbuilding College will commence operations on 1 January 2018.

Further details regarding the Naval Shipbuilding College Request for Proposal can be obtained from the AusTender website www.tender.gov.au