This spring, South Australians have the rare chance to tour a Royal Australian Navy ship and submarine, and experience first-hand what a career in the Navy or shipbuilding industry can offer. It’s all part of the Navy and Shipbuilding Careers Expo being held on 5 November at Outer Harbor.
Tell me more
The State Government is hosting the expo at the Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal, Outer Harbor in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy, and there’s a whole lot more to it than just those seriously cool ship and sub tours.
The expo is designed as a “one-stop shop” for Navy and shipbuilding career information, where young South Aussies can learn all about the jobs and careers available now and in the future, thanks to SA’s burgeoning naval shipbuilding industry.
Representatives from some of the world’s largest defence industry organisations will be on hand to explain the future career opportunities being created in SA.
There will also be an Australian Defence Force Careers hub to showcase careers in the Royal Australian Navy, with information about the lifestyle, benefits, locations, and specific roles for interested attendees and potential candidates.
Careers in the Navy or defence industry span a whole range of exciting roles – from trades, hospitality, engineering and communications to IT, cyber-intelligence, aviation and leadership.
Universities and vocational education and tertiary (VET) institutions will also have staff available, to talk attendees through the study pathways that will lead into their dream defence industry careers.
So mark Sunday 5 November in your diary. Everyone is invited to attend the expo… so long as they’ve registered.
Why is the expo happening in South Australia?
Because we are The Defence State and we’re making history!
South Australia is supporting the Australian Defence Force to achieve the biggest step forward in Australia’s defence capability – the nuclear-powered SSN-AUKUS submarines. With Osborne Naval Shipyard the future home of Australia’s next-generation submarine build, the project will add to our continuous pipeline of defence industry projects, delivering jobs and economic benefits for generations to come. If you need a refresher on the AUKUS deal, click here.
South Australia has a long, proud, history of delivering some of the nation’s largest and most complex Defence projects. Submarines are just the start. Work is underway on the construction of nine Hunter class frigates, we are completing construction of 2 Arafura class offshore patrol vessels, preparing for ongoing Life-of-type extension and Full-cycle docking of our existing Collins class submarines and undergoing significant upgrades to our Hobart class destroyers. All in our own backyard!
More than 10,000 jobs are expected to be added to the defence industry pipeline in SA over the next 20 years plus thousands more in adjacent industries, and the State Government wants them to be filled by locals. Want to know more about some of the major projects happening in SA, check out Find Your Place SA.
This expo is part of the government’s push to encourage young South Aussies to explore defence industry careers and study science, technology, engineering and maths at school and during further education.
These foundational skills provide the platform to launch exciting careers across a broad range of high paying jobs. In the years and decades to come, defence organisations are looking to employ SA-based engineers, scientists, technicians, project managers, tradespeople, ICT professionals and administrators.
OK, I’m going to the expo – anything else I need to know?
If you want to go, you need to register. (We can’t stress this enough.)
Also, if you want to tour the ship or submarine, please note these are capacity limited and you need photo ID, closed-toe, sensible shoes (no high heels!) and comfortable, appropriate clothes. All the details are on the registration site but here’s a hot tip: wear pants, not a dress, if you want to get aboard.
Registration is essential for entry, so register here.
Free public transport is available for attendees on presentation of their registration details.
Here’s everything else you need to know.
Want more? Here’s a deep dive into how we’re preparing for AUKUS in SA:
