The first of H&B Defence’s new naval nuclear foundations training courses is now officially underway in Western Australia, strengthening Australia’s workforce readiness under AUKUS Pillar 1.
Accredited as a Curtin University micro‑credential, the training course draws on the global expertise of H&B Defence’s parent companies, HII (US) and Babcock (UK). Instructors bring more than 80 years of combined, real‑world nuclear experience, ensuring participants learn directly from practitioners operating at the forefront of modern nuclear programs.
The initial cohort of 40 participants is gaining access to hands‑on, industry‑led learning, providing direct exposure to the rigorous standards, safety culture and discipline required in a highly regulated, nuclear environment. This awareness training is a key early step in preparing industry for force rotations from 2027 and meeting Australia’s long-term workforce demands for SSN‑AUKUS.
Engineers, technicians, project managers and defence‑industry support professionals, including member of the Henderson Alliance, will cover:
- basic nuclear engineering fundamentals
- the history and evolution of US and UK naval nuclear programs
- critical quality assurance and risk‑management frameworks.
The start of the course follows the historic Submarine Maintenance Period on HMS Anson at HMAS Stirling earlier this month, the first time a UK nuclear‑powered submarine has undergone maintenance in Australia.
The training also follows the recent announcement of a second H&B Defence micro‑credential to be delivered in late 2026, focused on submarine enterprises, regulations and support infrastructure. Both programs are funded through the Western Australian Government’s Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grant Program.
To register interest for future course intakes visit H&B Defence.
Western Australia Skills and TAFE Minister Amber‑Jade Sanderson said:
“The Western Australian Government is committed to growing WA’s defence industry workforce to ensure we have the capability to support AUKUS.
“Through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are supporting the tertiary education sector to produce job-ready graduates by investing in targeted, industry‑led training that strengthens our sovereign capability.
“This course gives Western Australians the foundation to work safely and effectively in a nuclear‑regulated environment. It shows how our tertiary education providers and industry partners can move quickly to meet emerging skills needs under AUKUS.”
Western Australia Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said:
“This partnership is a critical step in readying Western Australia to host and sustain nuclear‑powered submarines under AUKUS, well ahead of Australia acquiring its own fleet in 2032.
“As the nation’s home of AUKUS, we are seizing the opportunity to build the capability to support this critical national endeavour.”
“By backing industry‑designed micro‑credentials through the Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants Program, we are ensuring local workers gain the specific skills and safety culture required for the most demanding roles in the defence sector.”
H&B Defence Managing Director Tim Brown said:
“The recent visit of Royal Navy Astute-class submarine HMS Anson gave a glimpse of the future of AUKUS in Australia. By partnering with Curtin University, we are investing early in the next generation of nuclear‑ready professionals who will underpin Australia’s future submarine capability.”
“This course gives Australian industry participants the technical foundations required to operate within a nuclear‑regulated environment and is a critical step in building the workforce needed to safely and effectively sustain nuclear‑powered submarines in Australia.”
Henderson Alliance Chairperson Rohan Green said:
“Western Australian industry stands to become a key pillar required to contribute to the future success of the AUKUS alliance.”
“The Henderson Alliance is actively collaborating with all key stakeholders to ensure that the local highly capable defence industry small and medium sized businesses are able to contribute to this future success. Our collaboration with H&B Defence and Curtin University with these nuclear foundation training courses demonstrates how the WA Defence Industry ecosystem gets outcomes that will benefit the ongoing and future AUKUS endeavour.”