AUKUS Workforce Alliance announced

A consortium of UNSW Sydney, the University of Adelaide and Curtin University, as well as defence contractors Babcock Australasia and  Huntington Ingalls Industries – collectively known as the the AUKUS Workforce Alliance (AWA) – has been announced, coinciding with the first day of the 2023 Indo Pacific International Maritime Expo. 

According to a statement from UNSW on Tuesday, the partnership is dedicated to skills development to support Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine plans under AUKUS Pillar 1, and will work “in a tri-lateral alliance”  between Australia, the UK and the US. 

“This comprehensive and rigorous training approach is also a commitment to the safety and protection of people and the environment and fostering public trust,” said Michael Lempke, President Nuclear and Environment Services Group at US-based submarine builder HII.

The AWA will “educate the thousands of qualified Australian engineering, maritime and nuclear trade and professional workers” required throughout the submarines’ life cycle and supply chain, UNSW said, citing three aims:

• Establish a platform for skill enhancement and leadership;
• Lead development and execution of critical upskilling programs; and
• Foster cutting-edge research and practical experience for the future workforce.

“We look forward to supporting the Australian Submarine Agency’s “whole of nation” skilling objectives through collaboration with our partner universities in Adelaide and Perth, as well as with two global defence industry primes, in Babcock and HII, boasting a deep shared submarine capability sustainment heritage,” said Professor Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor and President at UNSW.

Picture: Virginia-class submarine Montana (credit Huntington Ingalls Industries)

Further reading

Players line up for AUKUS as Huntington Ingalls bets on Australia

Babcock the latest to prepare for role in future nuclear submarines