- First‑of‑its‑kind nuclear foundations course
underway in Western Australia
- Funded through Cook Government's Defence
Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program
- Targeted training part of Cook Government's
commitment to building a skilled, AUKUS‑ready workforce for the future
- Inaugural cohort of 40 participants undertaking
industry‑led training aligned with UK and US nuclear standards
Western Australia's first
naval nuclear foundations training course has been launched, representing a
major step in building the skilled workforce required to support AUKUS and the
future sustainment of nuclear‑powered submarines at Henderson.
The course is funded
through the State Government's $2.5 million Defence Industry Reskilling and
Upskilling (DIRU) Grants Program. The grants program is designed to fast‑track
job‑ready
skills through industry‑led training partnerships,
delivering specialised capability where it is needed most and strengthening
Western Australia's sovereign
defence workforce.
Through DIRU, H&B
Defence has received a $568,000 grant to deliver training for up to 150
participants across the defence, naval and nuclear sectors.
Developed in partnership
with Curtin University, the H&B Defence course will be delivered to
engineers, technicians, project managers and defence‑industry
support professionals.
The inaugural cohort of 40
participants is undertaking hands‑on, industry‑led
learning informed by UK and US nuclear‑powered submarine programs.
The training provides
early exposure to the rigorous standards, safety culture and discipline
required to operate safely and effectively in nuclear‑regulated
settings.
A second H&B Defence
micro‑credential,
focused on submarine enterprises, regulations and support infrastructure, is
planned for late 2026 and will also be supported through the DIRU Grants
Program.
The launch of the course
follows the recent submarine maintenance period on the Royal Navy's HMS Anson
at HMAS Stirling - the first time a UK nuclear‑powered submarine has undergone
maintenance in Australia -
marking another milestone as Western Australia builds the workforce capability
required to support AUKUS.
Comments attributed to Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Labor
Government is committed to growing WA's defence industry workforce to ensure we
have the capability to support AUKUS.
"Through the Defence
Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are supporting the
tertiary education sector to produce job-ready graduates by investing in
targeted, industry‑led training that strengthens our sovereign capability.
"This course gives
Western Australians the foundation to work safely and effectively in a nuclear‑regulated
environment.
"It shows how our
tertiary education providers and industry partners can move quickly to meet
emerging skills needs under AUKUS."
Comments attributed to Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
"This partnership is a
critical step in readying Western Australia to host and sustain nuclear‑powered
submarines under AUKUS, well ahead of Australia acquiring its own fleet in
2032.
"As the nation's home of AUKUS, we are seizing the
opportunity to build the capability to support this critical national
endeavour.
"By backing industry‑designed
micro‑credentials
through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are
ensuring local workers gain the specific skills and safety culture required for
the most demanding roles in the defence sector."
