University of Adelaide and Babcock team up to boost defence talent

A new partnership between the University of Adelaide and Babcock Australasia (Babcock) is set to accelerate Australia’s critical defence industry workforce to support the biggest and most ambitious defence agenda in the nation’s history. Babcock Managing Director AUKUS & International Sir Nick Hine KCB, Babcock CEO Andrew Cridland, University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC and Deputy Vice Chancellor (External Engagement) Dr Jessica Gallagher have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a commitment to work closely together. Babcock and the University of Adelaide will work together on developing Australia’s defence workforce and skills through new initiatives and projects to support current defence programs and the AUKUS program, including the delivery of the nation’s first nuclear-powered submarines. Under the AUKUS trilateral security pact the US and the UK will assist Australia in building nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia. It will be one of the most transformative industrial endeavours in Australia’s history. Job creation and building the advanced skills needed to support South Australia’s position will be critical to the program. The MoU will serve as the guiding framework, between the University of Adelaide and Babcock to work together on new talent attraction and development to support defence and national security and realise the potential presented by AUKUS. The University of Adelaide is in the top 100 of universities world-wide and has an outstanding global reputation for teaching and research across all major engineering disciplines as well as a strong track record of working closely with industry and government. Babcock is the number one Navy ship sustainer in Australia and NZ, employing more than 1,800 people. Globally, Babcock is a proven, trusted leader in sustainment, nuclear safety and stewardship playing a crucial role in the UK, US, and Australia’s submarine programs today. Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Høj AC, University of Adelaide said “The University of Adelaide is excited to be working closely with Babcock Australasia to advance our shared objectives and contribute to the growth and expertise of Australia’s defence industry. Babcock is an eminent force in the defence industry with extensive experience in naval strategy and submarine operations. Working closely together will help address the complexities in defence skills and workforce in preparation for the greatest advanced manufacturing opportunity of our time.” Babcock Managing Director AUKUS & International Nick Hine said “Babcock’s partnership with the University of Adelaide solidifies our ongoing commitment to developing the critical skills and workforce required to support landmark Defence projects, including the AUKUS agreement. As a tri-national endeavour, we all need to urgently upskill our workforce and encourage Australians to take up once-in-a-lifetime careers in the Defence industry in order to deliver the most complex and largest Defence agenda in Australia’s history – and this work starts now.” Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), Dr Jessica Gallagher, University of Adelaide said “The University of Adelaide is excited to be building a long-term partnership with Babcock.  This memorandum of understanding reflects our commitment to this important partnership which will strengthen collaboration between our two organisations, both of which are committed to improving the sovereign capability and safety of our nation.” Babcock Australasia CEO, Andrew Cridland said “The MOU highlights Babcock’s commitment to work closely with the university sector so we can continue to grow and develop our workforce needed to support keeping our nation – and the wider Indo Pacific region – safe and secure. Babcock recognises that AUKUS is a critical national endeavour. Given our extensive global experience in sustainment, nuclear safety and stewardship, Babcock stands ready to assist Australia in delivering this very significant opportunity, including growing the required workforce to support the delivery of the nation’s first nuclear-powered submarines.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]