- South Metropolitan TAFE and City College Plymouthsign new training partnership
- Focus on defence industry skills, workforcecapabilityand future training needs
- Supports longterm naval and defence workforce growth linked to AUKUS
- Builds on South Metropolitan TAFE'sexpertisein defenceindustrytraining
The Cook Governmentis supportingAUKUSworkforce development, with SouthMetropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) signinga Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom'sCity College Plymouth (CCP).
The new international partnership will build on the joint State and Commonwealth investment in the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence atSM TAFE.
Itwillstrengthen defence industry workforce skillsdevelopment in both countries and contribute to the success oftheAUKUSagreementwiththe United Statestoadvance defence capabilities.
SM TAFE'spartnershipwith CCPreflects growing international interest in Western Australia's defence industry training capability, particularly as the State prepares for long-term naval workforce growth associated with major programs such as AUKUS.
The partnership provides a frameworkfor collaboration between thetwo institutions, allowing them to shareexpertiseand explorehowvocational educationand trainingcan better respond to the evolvingskillsneeds of defence-related industries.
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Building a highly skilled workforce is critical to supporting Western Australia's future defence industry and advanced manufacturing sectors.
"This new partnershipwillensure our TAFEs continue to deliver training that will support Western Australians to make the most of the opportunities that the AUKUS partnership will provide.
"Working with established international partnershelps toposition Western Australia as a leader in defence industry skills and training."
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
"Western Australia has a key role in supporting Australia's longterm defence capability, as part of the AUKUS program.
"The recent arrival of HMS Anson at HMAS Stirling - the first ever UK nuclear submarine maintenance period conducted in Australia - demonstrates the pace of progress across the AUKUS partnership and highlights the increasing importance of WA's skilled workforce.
"Strong international partnerships like this help ensure our workforce has the right skills ahead of Submarine Rotational Force - West commencing from 2027.
"This collaboration reinforces WA's reputation as a trusted and capable contributor to global defence industry training and workforce development."
