Jobs Landed

Newcastle Herald

Thursday July 29, 2004

EXCLUSIVE By MELISSA CHAIN State Political Reporter

UNITED States aviation giant Boeing will expand its Hunter-based operations, creating an aerospace hub at Williamtown that is expected to create more than 1000 jobs.

The Herald has been told Boeing Australia's plans will inject at least $22.5 million a year in wages into the Hunter economy.

Boeing's expansion is the direct result of a modified Australian Defence Force contract to upgrade the RAAF fleet of 70 F/A-18 Hornet fighters, and the introduction of six Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft at Williamtown.

Supporting these projects, the aerospace hub will create 500 jobs by 2007.

A further 220 positions will be delivered by 2013 by a second contract for an air command and control system.

Premier Bob Carr said yesterday that he expected the hub to generate 400 indirect jobs in the region in support services.

"The NSW Government and Boeing are working together on a plan that will create the foundation for a major aerospace industry in the Hunter, which could deliver up to 1000 jobs across a number of companies by the end of the decade," Mr Carr said.

"These are the sort of skilled jobs

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1000 jobs landed in Hunter aerospace project expansion

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that will provide real opportunities for young people in the Hunter for years to come."

Boeing has already increased its staff levels at Williamtown from 65 to 132 in the last six months and expects to employ 180 by the end of the year, including four new systems engineers graduating from Newcastle University.

Boeing Australia managing director David Gray said the company's growth strategy placed the Hunter in a prime position to attract even more aerospace business in coming years.

"As one of the major aerospace employers in Australia we are delighted to be driving development of high-skill jobs in the Hunter region," Mr Gray said.

Three high-level working parties have been set up to address training and recruitment, identification of companies that can support the industry and, in the short-term, attract specialist skills not yet available in the region.

An education strategy will be devised for Hunter schools, TAFEs and Newcastle University and to identify specific training needs.

The Premier said educational institutions in the Hunter would have to be "re-geared" to produce graduates with a range of aerospace skills.

Mr Gray said working parties will also create a capability strategy to identify small to medium operators in engineering, communications and battle management to ensure the aerospace cluster's continual growth.

Editorial

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