CONSTRUCTION has started on a new training centre at HMAS Stirling for submarine crew training.
This $200m project forms part of the federal government’s $8 billion investment in infrastructure at HMAS Stirling.
A media release from defence minister Richard Marles on 9 December said the world-class facility would support the skilling of Australia’s submariner workforce, through local submarine crew training and certification for work on Virginia class submarines, which Australia will acquire and operate from the early 2030s.
Construction of the training centre will support local jobs and the Western Australian economy, requiring a daily workforce of around 120 construction personnel, which will grow to around 180 personnel per day at peak times.
The announcement coincides with the launch of the “I am a Submariner” campaign across social media, to raise awareness about what a career as a submariner in the Navy entails and the range of conventional and nuclear-powered submarine roles and opportunities available.
Priority submariner roles that Defence is actively seeking to recruit for Australia’s current and future submarine workforce include: communication networks operators; submariner electrical fitters; electronics technicians; fixed and mobile plant mechanics; nuclear powered submarine electricians; nuclear powered submarine electronics technicians; nuclear powered submarine mechanics; nuclear powered submarine weapons and sensors network technicians; and nuclear powered submarine electronic warfare network technicians.
Training of Australian submariners in the United States and the United Kingdom has already begun.
Mr Marles said Australian submariners are gaining experience in the United States and United Kingdom, and on board Virginia class and Astute class submarines and would soon be able to receive world-class training in Western Australia.
