ASC announced it has welcomed 81 apprentices and graduates to the company’s submarine workforce in South Australia and Western Australia. Forty-one future submarine builders and sustainers have commenced four-year, full-time trades-based apprenticeships, bringing the total number of apprentices to 144.
At Osborne in SA, 20 apprentices aged 17-36 spent part of their first day touring ASC’s submarine yard, where the company’s highly-skilled workforce built, and now sustains, Australia’s Collins Class submarines. In WA, 21 apprentices aged 17-30 joined the workforce – the highest ever apprentice intake in the west. Of the 41 new apprentices, 12 are commencing electrical, 12 are undertaking fabrication, and 17 are pursuing mechanical trades. This year apprentices were selected from a record-breaking 1,300 applications. ASC has also welcomed 40 graduates in 2025 – future submarine engineers and designers, project managers, cyber security specialists, and people and culture professionals.
ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Whiley, said he was pleased so many people were choosing a career in submarine build and sustainment. “We are working tirelessly to grow and develop our workforce that is required to continue sustaining Australia’s Collins Class submarines, and support the Australian Government’s mission to sustain and jointly-build conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines,” Stuart said. “The record-breaking WA apprentice intake is especially pleasing – sustainment work on visiting US and UK submarines will soon ramp up, and eventually our workforce will be responsible for full sustainment services for Australia’s future Virginia Class and SSN-AUKUS submarines. As someone who has spent the best part of their life in a submarine yard, I can attest to the rewarding career ahead for our newest recruits. And for those people who missed out in this year’s apprenticeships and graduate positions, be sure to look out for future expressions of interest – we will be recruiting hundreds more in the coming years.”
Some of these apprentices and graduates are participating in the Jobs for Subs program announced by the Australian Government in 2024, which will see around 200 additional entry-level personnel join ASC over the next two years. Expressions of interest for the next intake of apprentices at both the SA and WA submarine yards will open mid-year. Applications for the next intake of graduate roles open within weeks, and students in their final year of university studies are encouraged to apply.
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“Of the 41 new apprentices, 12 are commencing electrical, 12 are undertaking fabrication, and 17 are pursuing mechanical trades. This year apprentices were selected from a record-breaking 1,300 applications.”
Of course it is reasonable to assume that the best young talent was chosen for the job. But only 41 new apprentices from over 1,300 applicant’s surely the intake should be higher? Or is this about right? Good luck to them anyway!