- Firstofitskind nuclear foundations course underway in Western Australia
- Funded through Cook Government's Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program
- Targeted training part of Cook Government's commitment to building a skilled, AUKUSready workforce for the future
- Inaugural cohort of 40 participants undertaking industryled training aligned with UK and US nuclear standards
Western Australia's first naval nuclear foundations training course has been launched, representing a major step in building the skilled workforce required to support AUKUS and the future sustainment of nuclearpowered submarines at Henderson.
The course is funded through the State Government's $2.5 million Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling (DIRU) Grants Program. The grants program is designed to fasttrack jobready skills through industryled training partnerships, delivering specialised capability where it is needed most and strengthening Western Australia's sovereign defence workforce.
Through DIRU, H&B Defence has received a $568,000 grant to deliver training for up to 150 participants across the defence, naval and nuclear sectors.
Developed in partnership with Curtin University, the H&B Defence course will be delivered to engineers, technicians, project managers and defenceindustry support professionals.
The inaugural cohort of 40 participants is undertaking handson, industryled learning informed by UK and US nuclearpowered submarine programs.
The training provides early exposure to the rigorous standards, safety culture and discipline required to operate safely and effectively in nuclearregulated settings.
A second H&B Defence microcredential, focused on submarine enterprises, regulations and support infrastructure, is planned for late 2026 and will also be supported through the DIRU Grants Program.
The launch of the course follows the recent submarine maintenance period on the Royal Navy's HMS Anson at HMAS Stirling - the first time a UK nuclearpowered submarine has undergone maintenance in Australia - marking another milestone as Western Australia builds the workforce capability required to support AUKUS.
As stated by Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Labor Government is committed to growing WA's defence industry workforce to ensure we have the capability to support AUKUS.
"Through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are supporting the tertiary education sector to produce job-ready graduates by investing in targeted, industryled training that strengthens our sovereign capability.
"This course gives Western Australians the foundation to work safely and effectively in a nuclearregulated environment.
"It shows how our tertiary education providers and industry partners can move quickly to meet emerging skills needs under AUKUS."
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
"This partnership is a critical step in readying Western Australia to host and sustain nuclearpowered submarines under AUKUS, well ahead of Australia acquiring its own fleet in 2032.
"As the nation's home of AUKUS, we are seizing the opportunity to build the capability to support this critical national endeavour.
"By backing industrydesigned microcredentials through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are ensuring local workers gain the specific skills and safety culture required for the most demanding roles in the defence sector."
