Stories

KBR has a storied history of providing first-class solutions to customers in government and defence industries around the globe and Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding College (“the College”) is a testament to the breadth of that expertise. In a joint venture with Huntington Ingalls Industries, the largest shipbuilder in the United States, KBR successfully established and has managed the College since it began operations in April 2018 all the while ensuring a coordinated, national approach to workforce development and skilling across the Australian naval shipbuilding enterprise.

The College is integral to an effort to build and sustain the workforce for the Australian Navy’s future fleet, including the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Attack class Submarines and Hunter class Frigates. The $90 billion Australian Government initiative has created a pipeline of work that will support the development of a continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise for decades to come. From the ship’s deck to the office boardroom, opportunities wait for approximately 15,000 skilled and professional workers at the College.

With offices in South Australia and Western Australia, the College operates a hub and spoke model by partnering with education and training providers in every state and territory and in consultation with Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industries to offer shipbuilding courses to students across Australia. These courses ensure that students graduate job-ready and are equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to secure rewarding and meaningful employment.

“Throughout the early stages of this project and into its present phase, our team of professionals have been working to ensure a highly skilled and qualified Australian workforce is available to meet the 50-year vision of delivering Australia’s continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program,” said Greg Conlon, Chief Digital & Development Officer. “KBR is fortunate to play a significant role in this strategic project and we look forward to the lasting legacy that the College will create for the Australian Government, our national workforce and shipbuilding industry.”

KBR is proud to help establish and maintain a sovereign naval shipbuilding workforce for the Australian Government and to continue to deliver on government and defence projects across Australia.