Adelaide University to train future nuclear specialists

The University of Adelaide has announced it has received a federal government commitment to fund the training of hundreds more domestic undergraduate students to join the defence workforce of the future, as a result of the needs of the AUKUS pact.

Under the Australian Government’s Nuclear-Powered Submarines (NPS) program, the University of Adelaide has received an allocation of $38,634,835 between 2024 and 2030 to deliver an additional 700 commonwealth supported places (CSPs). The University of Adelaide received by far the largest number of places allocated to any university under this announcement.

“The University of Adelaide is pleased to receive this commitment of funding from the federal government to help train the defence workforce of the future,” said Professor Peter Høj, Vice-Chancellor and President, the University of Adelaide. “This is a massive endorsement of the University’s capability to support the Australian Government’s plans to build a nuclear-powered defence force under the AUKUS program.

“The University will lead developments in defence-related education as well as invest in research and research infrastructure to support the training of the best and brightest minds.”

The 700 additional places at the University of Adelaide will deliver more graduates from STEM disciplines. A total of 4001 CSPs have been supported nationally under this program with 1030 allocated to South Australia.

The Commonwealth and South Australian Government will also be funding schemes that will support eligible students to take up these new opportunities. These schemes include degree apprenticeships and scholarships, announced recently as part of the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan.

Under the AUKUS trilateral security pact announced in September 2021, the US and the UK will assist Australia in building nuclear-powered submarines at Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia.