The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have announced a $28 million National Security TAFE Centre of Excellence in South Australia, highlighting the role of manufacturing and technical training in supporting AUKUS projects and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
To be established at TAFE SA’s Regency campus, the centre will focus on developing training programs across electrotechnology, electronics and engineering, aimed at upskilling workers in emerging industries and preparing them for roles in defence, space, manufacturing, energy and water sectors, the government said in a news release.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the investment would ensure South Australians are equipped with the skills required for future national security and defence roles.
“We’re backing TAFEs to train the next generation of specialists, so South Australians have the skills to protect what matters most and drive the state’s future,” Giles said.
“TAFE Centres of Excellence will be engine rooms of innovation in vocational education, sharing best practice teaching and learning across the country through the National TAFE Network.”
According to the SA government, the facility will provide apprentices and tradespeople with hands-on experience using automated technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality tools.
It noted that training will be designed to prepare them for careers such as electricians, welders, engineering technicians, boilermakers, and mechanical fitters, with a focus on how these roles contribute to safeguarding national infrastructure.
South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said the initiative would strengthen both the state’s defence industry and sovereign manufacturing capability.
“As South Australia and Australia’s defence industry ramps up for naval shipbuilding, nuclear-powered submarines, guided weapons and explosive ordnance, so too does the need to protect our supply chains from ever-increasing foreign interference,” Boyer said.
“TAFE SA is well placed as the largest provider of defence training in South Australia to deliver this new National Security Centre of Excellence, which will support Australia’s capacity to build and safeguard sovereign manufacturing capabilities.”
The Centre will also develop new qualifications and microcredentials to train workers on how to mitigate cybercrime and prevent security threats when working on critical infrastructure and national security projects.
Partnerships with industry, unions, universities and research institutes will form a key part of its operations, including collaborations with UK and US education institutes to transfer advanced technology training.
Saab Australia Chief Financial Officer Courtney Morcombe said the Centre would play an important role in meeting defence industry needs. “A highly skilled local workforce is essential for South Australia to take full advantage of the defence industry opportunities on the horizon,” Morcombe said.
“This new investment will support organisations like Saab Australia to deliver the Commonwealth’s capability requirements, continue developing sovereign capabilities and growing our workforce in South Australia.”
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments are jointly funding the project, each contributing $14 million. It is the 14th TAFE Centre of Excellence to be announced nationally, and the second in South Australia.
