Indigenous alliance to drive shipbuilding recruitment

BAE Systems Maritime Australia has selected an indigenous alliance to drive shipbuilding recruitment which is constructing nine Hunter class frigates at its Osborne south shipyard in Adelaide.

BAESMA has selected Careers Centre Alliance following a highly competitive evaluation process to manage trade recruitment for the Hunter Class Frigate Program.

The selection of Careers Centre Alliance – a partnership between the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) and Randstad Australia – supports BAE Systems’ commitment to deliver opportunities for Indigenous businesses and people, according to the company.

BAESMA managing director Craig Lockhart said the selection was part of creating Australian industrial capability over the long term and a continuous naval shipbuilding programme.

Lockhart said: “Our agreement with Careers Centre Alliance to grow our shipbuilding workforce is crucial to build sovereign capability to ensure Australians have the skills and opportunities to design, build and sustain our own ships.

“This agreement supports our vision to ensure our shipyard of the future is very different to traditional yards; where our commitment to increasing diversity ensures our business is an inclusive place to work where our employees can be their best selves.”

Careers Centre Alliance is a partnership between the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) and Randstad Australia, and will help employ up to 900 trade and production workers for the prototyping and construction phases now underway.

The company will seek welders, electricians, pipe fitters, pipe welders, mechanical fitters, trade assistants, material handlers, operators, riggers, scaffolders and production supervisors.

They will be part of the 2,200-strong frigate workforce expected to be in place at the Hunter programme’s peak.

Careers Centre Alliance Partnership manager Brett Goodes said: “The engagement of the Career Centre Alliance and the utilisation of our Information Technology platform will allow Indigenous Recruitment and Labour hire businesses to play a key role in building a sovereign capable workforce which will include training and employment of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters.”

Australians interested in working on the Hunter Class Frigate Program can register here.

Picture: BAE Systems Maritime Australia

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