Rheinmetall has offices and operations in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra and its new headquarters is now at its new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence manufacturing plant in Redbank, Queensland, south west of Brisbane. The facility currently has more than 350 employees and will grow to 450 as production of the new BOXER 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance vehicle commences in late 2022.
Supported by BUSY At Work and TAFE QLD Acacia Ridge, nine Rheinmetall staff signed into apprenticeship qualifications (in a range of qualifications including auto electrician, heavy vehicle mechanics, surface finishing and engineering/fabrication) and one traineeship qualification in warehouse logistics. A number of the apprentices will have recognised prior learning applied, enabling them to fast-track their qualification.
Fiona Ryan, Director of Human Resources at Rheinmetall Defence Australia said: the team of apprentices would be the first of future teams signed up as the company moved to full scale production.
“We will sign up another ten staff later in the year as part of our commitment to professional development across the company and retaining skilled employees by providing real career pathway opportunities.”
“Rheinmetall’s commitment to diversity will also see growing opportunities for women, veterans and indigenous candidates seeking a career in non-traditional trades,” Ms Ryan said.
TAFE Acacia Ridge has worked closely with Rheinmetall for the training delivery and BUSY At Work, an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, assisted with the apprenticeship sign-ups.
The ten employees all flagged their strong support for the qualification and the many opportunities it would provide them in future..
Managing Director for BUSY At Work, Paul Miles said the company understood the benefits to both organisations and employees when skilling staff through apprenticeship pathways.
“Providing the opportunity to obtain a qualification is a great move for employers looking to retain staff and skill up their workforce. Smart organisations like Rheinmetall know that by looking after their greatest asset, their people, they are contributing to their ongoing success.”
“BUSY At Work assist many organisations, both large and small with their workforce planning, bringing in new staff and ensuring they have the right skills as well as supporting current staff with their career progression”, Paul further stated.
For more information on skilling up your staff, visit www.busyatwork.com.au
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work
0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au
