ASA-STA-Weld RFI2025: Australian Submarine Agency Welding Program

Summary

Part of the STA’s strategic intent is to expand the national pool of welders for all industries to utilise, including to support the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Optimal Pathway and naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise. This will be achieved through two avenues:(i) A Welding Aptitude Program, to test an applicant’s suitability to weld and offer a fast-tracked welding course to suitable candidates to get them job ready. The Welding Aptitude program seeks to test 400 candidates over four years, targeting individuals with limited to no welding experience, and(ii) A Welding Bridging program, by offering additional training to reach higher industry welding standards in naval shipbuilding. The Welding Bridging program seeks to train 200 candidates over four years, targeting cohorts with welding experience, for instance, trade qualified welders from adjacent industries, apprentices in their final year of their Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication).The ASA is requesting the information to understand existing capabilities, relevant courses or programs, scope and their alignment with industry standards. This will inform program design and decision making, to ensure the initiatives are relevant and fit for purpose to industry standards.