THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement
Wednesday , 11 February 2009
003/2009
DEVELOPING APPRENTICES FOR OUR AIR
WARFARE DESTROYERS
Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today
congratulated ASC and the Engineers Employers Association Group Training
Scheme (EEAGTS) on their announcement of the Air Warfare Destroyer
(AWD) Apprentice Development Program.
The Program announced today will commence with the hiring of 10 fabrication
and electrical apprentices this year with a further 10 planned to be hired next
year.
The apprentices, employed by EEAGTS, will initially be hosted by local
companies in South Australia where they will begin learning their trades. They
will transfer to ASC upon completion of the Osborne shipyard where they will
then complete their apprenticeship working on the AWD project.
“I would like to congratulate both ASC and EEAGTS on this wonderful
initiative that will give 20 young South Australians a fantastic opportunity to
start their careers working on one of the biggest defence projects Australia
has ever undertaken,” said Mr Combet.
“The Rudd Government is committed to encouraging the development of skills
within defence industry. It is estimated that the industry will grow significantly
over the next decade so it is encouraging to see companies such as ASC
investing in their future workforce now.”
The program was officially launched today at the new Maritime Skills Centre in
Osborne.
ASC is the shipbuilder for the AWD Alliance, the body responsible for
delivering three AWDs to the Royal Australian Navy. The other partners of the
Alliance are the Defence Material Organisation and Raytheon Australia.
The first of the AWDs is scheduled for delivery in late 2014.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet): 02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Ben Osborne (ASC)
0412 251 390
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
