The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are building Western Australia's future, partnering to deliver state-of-the-art training facilities to give Australians the skills needed to build and maintain critical Australian defence capabilities, through the WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence.
This is another major milestone in growing our defence industry in WA - an industry that will deliver tens of billions of dollars in new defence capabilities and thousands of well-paid, high-skilled jobs over the next two decades.
An investment of $14.6 million will help Western Australians get the skills in advanced manufacturing they need to begin a rewarding career in the defence industry. The Centre will focus on teaching the newest and best skills across maritime, air, land, space and cyber security sectors.
Alongside helping WA workers to upskill and secure high-tech, well-paid jobs, the Centre will build a pipeline of defence skills to keep Australians safe.
This Centre will help to realise the vision of the recent historic Cooperation Agreement on Defence signed by the Commonwealth and WA Governments to deliver critical future defence capabilities in WA.
It builds on generational Albanese Government defence investments in WA, including in a new Defence Precinct at Henderson, depot-level maintenance and contingency docking for AUKUS submarines at Henderson, delivery of continuous naval shipbuilding in the West, and the establishment and operation of Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling.
The Centre will also work to boost completions and engagement for students in defence sector training, in-line with the National Skills Agreement.
The Centre will also spearhead a range of new critical programs in defence sector training:
- The Women in Defence Industry Scholarship Program will be extended and be led by the Centre. The six-month program provides WA women the opportunity to train on electronics and engineering alongside qualified tradespeople;
- Year 11 school students will be able to take part in the new Defence Industry Pathways Program School-based Traineeship. Students will learn about the various career options in defence industries and achieve a Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways.
This Centre will also work in partnership with universities to scope out higher-level apprenticeships that focus on innovative curriculum and learning practices.
Operating through a network of four South Metropolitan TAFE campuses across WA, the Centre will be guided by a Curriculum Advisory Group, Community of Practice, governance framework and related governance policies and procedures.
Funding for the WA TAFE Centre of Excellence is part of the investment by the Albanese Government under the five-year National Skills Agreement.
The Australian Government is investing $325 million under the five-year National Skills Agreement, to establish a network of up to 20 TAFE Centres of Excellence.
Each Centre focuses on high skills needs to help deliver a skilled workforce for strategically important industries.
As stated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"With the number of defence projects coming down the pipeline in WA, we need the skills which will build them.
"The WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence will develop these skills, and will see high-tech, well-paid jobs at the same time.
"It is an exciting time for the defence industry here in Perth and we are giving every opportunity for Western Australians to join the industry."
As stated by the Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook:
"With about 10,000 well-paid, highly skilled defence jobs set to be created, it's more important than ever that we invest in our defence training so Western Australians are ready to take up the jobs on offer.
"Our investment in the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence will establish WA as a leader in defence industry workforce development and position us at the centre of Australia's sovereign defence capability.
"The Centre of Excellence will lead the design and delivery of training programs, ensuring a growing pipeline of skilled workers to deliver current and future defence work.
"The Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence will inspire thousands of Western Australians to pursue defence industry careers and crucial defence work that will strengthen Australia's sovereign defence capability. I thank the Commonwealth Government for recognising the important contribution our State makes to this national endeavour."
As stated by the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"The WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence is the first to combine two critical initiatives under the National Skills Agreement: delivering high-quality training as a TAFE Centre of Excellence and delivering targeted programs to improve student outcomes.
"Providing students with fit-for-purpose skills and training, which demonstrates how a career in the industry will feel, is critical to producing the skilled workforce we need to strengthen our defence sector.
"Partnerships - like this one - between governments, training organisations and industry, are the best way to deliver the skills people need for good, secure work and careers.
"The programs that are being run by this centre will help encourage more women and young people to consider the opportunities available through our fantastic VET sector."
As stated by the Minister for Training and Workforce Development, Simone McGurk:
"The WA State Government is committed to growing WA's defence industry workforce so we can build on the Commonwealth Government's current investment in the State and attract new defence projects that will benefit generations of Western Australians.
"Within the next two to five years, skilled workers will be needed to support nuclear-powered submarine sustainment work and naval shipbuilding in WA, across a variety of fields such as electrical trades, cyber security and mechanical and fabrication trades.
"The Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence will uplift training opportunities through curriculum innovation, training pathways and programs, and higher apprenticeships to skill, upskill and reskill Western Australians for defence industry careers.
"This $14.6 million joint investment will mean our State can facilitate the development of AUKUS specific skills so that our workforce is 'job-ready' and can undertake nuclear-powered submarine sustainment work at HMAS Stirling from 2027."
