Initiatives to build capacity in defence manufacturing

The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance) is dedicated to supporting skills development that meets the evolving needs of all industries in its remit. Over the past three months some announcements have been made that, through strategic collaboration with industry, government, and education providers, will bring us closer to equipping Australia’s defence manufacturing sector with an empowered and highly skilled workforce to meet national security priorities.  

Last November, the Manufacturing Alliance, in partnership with BAE Systems Australia launched the Building a Defence Manufacturing Workforce project with the Minister for Skills and Training at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

The project represents a major step toward addressing the growing demand for skilled workers in defence manufacturing. By fostering collaboration across the sector, it will develop a coordinated, consistent skills system response that aligns with Australia’s National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program (IIP), which highlights the importance of building advanced joint capabilities and strategic technologies to ensure security and competitiveness.

The project offers several benefits: aligning skills development efforts with Australia’s strategic goals, enhancing defence capabilities, and bolstering the manufacturing sector to achieve sovereign capability. With defence workforce demand set to surge—AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine projects alone requiring 20,000 skilled jobs—this initiative is both timely and required.

The project was also referenced as part of the announcement of the WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, The Hon Richard Marles MP in January.

This $14.6 million investment will deliver innovative training, boost student completions, and upskill workers in engineering and advanced manufacturing, preparing them for higher-skilled roles in the defence sector.

Sharon Robertson, CEO of the Manufacturing Alliance welcomed the announcement saying, “An empowered and highly skilled defence manufacturing workforce is key to enabling our nation’s strategic priorities. The new WA Defence TAFE Centre of Excellence will help to support skills development that keeps pace with the evolving needs of manufacturing in the defence industry. By investing in its workforce, we are investing in the future of Australia and the security of our nation.”

Manufacturing Alliance Project Director, Michael Tracey and Manager, Workforce Planning, Cheryll Meade were present at the announcement alongside The Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon Roger Cook MLA, Premier of Western Australia and The Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Western Australian Minister for Training, at South Metropolitan TAFE’s Naval Base Campus (Perth).