RAN, UNE to Upgrade Logistics Training for Future Capability

Royal Australian Navy is working in parthership with the University of New England to help train its supply officers into using Defence logisitics systems and processes more effectively.

The university’s education and training company, UNE Partnerships, has been contracted to modernise and improve training within the Maritime Logistics Branch.

The company’s representatives recently visited Fleet Base East and HMAS Sydney to gain a first hand understanding of work done at sea and ashore by the branch’s officers and sailors.

During the first stage, UNE Partnerships will design and develop a suite of maritime logistics officer and maritime logistics – stewards training modules. Future enhancements will incorporate other courses enabling both officers and sailors to learn and reinforce their trades and skill sets throughout their careers as part of their long term professional development.

Director Training Authority – Maritime Logistics and Health, Commander Rachel Thompson, said that this partnership is central to the effectiveness of Navy being able to deliver more structured training to meet Navy’s capability requirements of 2030.

“Our partnership with UNE is significant – they will be undertaking the necessary design and development of Maritime Logistics Officer, Supply Chain and Steward training for the Navy which will see our people trained for the breadth of roles they are required to fulfil now and in Navy’s future,” Commander Thompson said.

Petty Officer Maritime Logistics – Supply Chain Caley Rhodes from HMAS Sydney said that officer trainees and junior sailors were joining ships without a broad understanding of the wider Defence logistics systems and processes.

“It will be exciting to manage sailors who have been better trained to use and integrate our various systems and who know how the the Defence logistics network operates within a Naval context,” Petty Officer Rhodes said.

These new courses, which are expected to start from the first half of 2015 through to the end of 2016, will take an innovative approach to learning and will involve simulation, syndicate style learning and practical assessment.

Royal Australian Navy and UNE Partnerships will review and re-develop all maritime logistics, medical and dental specialisation and category training to reflect best practice in training and education standards as well as ensuring personnel are adequately prepared to undertake multiple positions across multiple ranks over the next three years.

Press Release; Image: Royal Australian Navy