Media Release by BAE Systems
Australian job seekers are expected to benefit from an Indigenous alliance established to recruit the trade workforce for Australia’s largest surface shipbuilding program.
BAE Systems Maritime Australia, which is responsible for designing, building and delivering nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Australian Navy, has selected Careers Centre Alliance following a highly competitive evaluation process to manage trade recruitment for the Hunter Class Frigate Program.
The selection of Careers Centre Alliance – a partnership between the Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC) and Randstad Australia – supports BAE Systems’ commitment to deliver opportunities for Indigenous businesses and people over the life of the Hunter frigate program and continuous naval shipbuilding (CNS).
Over the next five years, BAE Systems Maritime Australia needs to employ up to 900 trade and production workers for the prototyping and construction of nine Hunter class frigates at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
The company will seek welders, electricians, pipe fitters, pipe welders, mechanical fitters, trade assistants, material handlers, operators, riggers, scaffolders and production supervisors.
These highly skilled tradespeople will be part of the 2,200-strong frigate workforce expected to be in place at the Hunter program’s peak.
Careers Centre Alliance will leverage BAE Systems’ existing technologies, processes and talent pools, to deliver an end-to-end recruitment solution for the Hunter frigate program’s permanent and contract trade labour.
In addition, the partnership is expected to provide a continuous pipeline of Indigenous candidates, providing long-term career opportunities for Indigenous Australians and to maximise diversity and inclusion in the Hunter frigate program’s workforce.
Australians interested in working on the Hunter Class Frigate Program can register via Hunter Frigates (baesystems.com). Trade recruitment has commenced and will accelerate in line with the operational requirements of the program.
BAE Systems Maritime Australia Managing Director, Craig Lockhart said:
“The Hunter Class Frigate Program is more than just building nine ships; it’s about creating Australian industrial capability over the long term in support of continuous naval shipbuilding for our nation.
“Our agreement with Careers Centre Alliance to grow our shipbuilding workforce is crucial to build sovereign capability to ensure Australians have the skills and opportunities to design, build and sustain our own ships.
“This agreement supports our vision to ensure our shipyard of the future is very different to traditional yards; where our commitment to increasing diversity ensures our business is an inclusive place to work where our employees can be their best selves.”
Careers Centre Alliance Partnership Manager, Brett Goodes, said:
“We are excited to be working on the Hunter Class Frigate Program with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to support the identification and employment of trade and production workers.
“The engagement of the Career Centre Alliance and the utilisation of our Information Technology platform will allow Indigenous Recruitment and Labour hire businesses to play a key role in building a sovereign capable workforce which will include training and employment of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters.”
