200 young workers recruited for n-sub work

The federal government has announced a new Jobs for Subs programme for 200 young workers required for the maintenance of US and UK nuclear submarines in Perth under Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-W).

The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Graduate, Apprenticeship and Traineeship initiative is a government-funded recruitment and upskilling program for graduates, apprentices and trainees within ASC.

It will allow ASC to recruit around 200 additional entry-level personnel over the next two years across high priority disciplines and trades essential to the maintenance of nuclear-powered submarines.

These roles, predominantly in Western Australia, span fabrication and machining, engineering and project management, and supply chain and operations qualifications.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said: “This is a further boost to the development of ASC’s sustainment workforce and follows the first cohort of workers departing for training at Pearl Harbour Naval Shipyard in July.

“Australian industry is integral not only to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program, but also to supporting the future building, sustainment and maintenance of the submarines of our AUKUS partners.

“We are seeing real progress being made to develop the workforce of thousands of highly-skilled scientists, engineers, project managers, operators, technicians, welders, construction workers, electricians, metal fitters and builders that will be needed to support this nation-building endeavour.”

ASC maintains Australia’s Collins class submarines in Adelaide and Perth, will support maintenance of UK and US n-submarines in Perth, and along with BAE Systems Australia will construct Australia’s own nuclear submarine fleet of SSN-AUKUS submarines now under development.

The federal government has committed to invest up to $8 billion in infrastructure to enable SFR-W from 2027 and to operate Australia’s own Virginia class nuclear‑powered submarines from the early 2030s.

Across Australia, the nuclear-powered submarine programme is expected to create around 20,000 highly skilled jobs, including supporting around 3,000 jobs in the west alone.

Over the last two weeks, ASC Pty Ltd has been developing Australia’s sovereign sustainment workforce as part of the maintenance of US Virginia class submarine USS Hawaii currently underway in Perth.

Royal Australian Navy personnel have been directly participating in maintenance work on USS Hawaii, with ASC workers providing support services to USS Hawaii and observing maintenance activities to continue their learning.

Further reading:
Maintenance work begins on US N-sub in Perth

Picture: credit ASC