H&B Defence is developing a pioneering syllabus to advance nuclear knowledge amongst Western Australian businesses, after securing a state government grant to deliver a series of new defence industry training courses.
The two-day courses will provide engineers and industry support professionals with a practical understanding of the technology and safety associated with naval nuclear propulsion. Course topics will include nuclear engineering fundamentals, safety cases, the history of naval nuclear programs, and risk management frameworks.
The initiative is designed to address critical upskilling and reskilling priorities across the defence sector. The courses will be open to WA-based candidates starting early next year and will be delivered over an 18-month period.
This landmark program is funded through the Western Australian Government’s Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program, which supports the creation of tailored education and training courses to meet the growing demands of Australia’s defence industry workforce.
The course will be the first in Australia taught by nuclear-powered submarine subject matter experts – with input from H&B Defence partners HII (US) and Babcock (UK) – and accredited as a university micro-credential, strengthening national capability in advanced defence education.
H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown said:
“H&B Defence combines world-leading expertise in the nuclear space from its Joint Venture partner organisations HII and Babcock, making it the perfect choice to advance the skills of Australian industry.”
“We look forward to equipping WA’s highly capable workforce with a new set of skills that will complement their existing capability whilst preparing them for the complex nuclear environment ahead of them.”
“We thank the Western Australian Government for the opportunity to play a role in advancing AUKUS readiness and ultimately provide industry with the sovereign capability to deliver nuclear-powered submarine support in-country now and into the future.”
