- The WA
Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Babcock
Australasia
- The MoU
has a focus on industry development alongside workforce training and upskilling
- Babcock
International sustains the entire UK submarine fleet
Western Australia's maritime defence
industry has been bolstered by the State Government signing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with a major United Kingdom Defence company.
The MoU will help the Cook Government in
creating high paying, skilled jobs for decades at the Australian Marine Complex
(AMC) in Henderson, as well as at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
The dual focus of the MoU will target
industry expansion as well as training and workforce development.
Babcock, employs 26,000 people across the
globe, with 1,700 in Australia and New Zealand, including 250 in Western
Australia.
The company sustains the entirety of the
UK's submarine fleet and supports the Royal Navy's Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
Babcock manages the infrastructure at two of the UK's three nuclear bases, HM Naval Base
Devonport and HM Naval Base Clyde.
Babcock currently supports the Australian Submarine Corporation to maintain Australia's
Collins-class submarine fleet at Henderson
and at Osborne in South Australia, as well as providing the continued
sustainment of the Australian Anzac Class Frigates under the Warship Asset
Management Agreement.
Babcock
has also recently started work as the Regional Maintenance Provider West,
managing the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy ships at Henderson.
Babcock's
work in WA is delivered through the support of 500 small and medium enterprises
(SMEs) and this signing will provide opportunities for even more WA based SMEs
to become part of Babcock's international supply chain.
The State has supported the growth of the
defence industry through grant programs, development of infrastructure at the
AMC and active promotion of the WA defence industry capability globally.
Comments
attributed to Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia:
"The WA Government continues to show its
support and investment in the defence industry with this latest Memorandum of
Understanding.
"Babcock is a major player on the world
stage when it comes to maintaining nuclear submarines.
"I am confident this MoU will help place
Western Australia at the forefront of the latest developments in the maritime
defence industry."
Comments
attributed to Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk:
"The Cook Government's Memorandum of
Understanding with Babcock allows more certainty and opportunity for Western
Australians eager to explore a diverse career in the State's defence industry.
"Babcock is a top-tier submarine defence company
with a global reputation and expertise across the nuclear submarine lifecycle.
"This deal will help our Government create
highly paid, professionally trained jobs to assist with the AUKUS partnership."
