Preparing Cockburn for growing industry
The City of Cockburn has reaffirmed its commitment to developing the future workforce by sponsoring the Defence Industry Careers Zone at the 2026 SkillsWest Careers & Employment Expo for the second consecutive year.The initiative responds to one of Western Australia’s greatest workforce opportunities, with an estimated 10,000 workers needed over the next two decades to support continuous naval shipbuilding in Henderson.
As Australia’s one of only two naval shipbuilding and sustainment precincts, Henderson is entering a period of unprecedented growth. More than $45 billion worth of ships will be built in Cockburn over the next two decades, alongside $8 billion in upgrades to HMAS Stirling and around $25 billion infrastructure investment in the Henderson defence precinct. As the future sustainment location for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet, Henderson will support thousands of long-term, highly skilled local jobs.
Connecting local people with future jobs
The Defence Industry Careers Zone helps ensure local students, parents, teachers and jobseekers understand the breadth of career opportunities emerging on their doorstep.
While defence careers are often associated with military service, the modern defence industry relies on a diverse workforce across advanced manufacturing, engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, logistics, project management, marine services and many other professions.
By showcasing these pathways early, the City is helping build the pipeline of talent needed to support industry growth while strengthening awareness of the economic opportunities available within the local community.
Showcasing the diversity of defence careers
More than 16,000 students, parents, teachers and jobseekers attended this year’s SkillsWest Careers Expo, Western Australia’s largest careers event.
The Defence Industry Careers Zone featured 11 exhibitors representing a broad cross-section of the sector, including Griffin Marine, Zagul Biri, Global Coating Systems, The Youth Career Counsellor, Thales, Squadrone, Duratec Ertech Joint Venture, SHEQ Management, Western Australian AI Hub, Executive Risk Solutions and SQP Engineering.
Visitors also had the opportunity to experience an interactive drone cage activity delivered by Squadrone, made possible through a City of Cockburn grant, providing hands-on insight into the technologies shaping the future of tech and defence industry.
Creating Opportunities for Cockburn Community
Defence already contributes an estimated $3 billion to the Western Australian economy and supports around 7,500 jobs, with almost 2,000 of those based in Henderson.
As recognised in the WA Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025, Western Australia is “on the cusp of a shipbuilding and sustainment boom.”
By connecting the community with local employers and future career pathways, the City is helping ensure Cockburn residents are well positioned to benefit from the jobs, skills and economic opportunities that will underpin the region’s future prosperity.