Briefcase: Business Snippets from around South Australia
In this week’s Briefcase, frigate apprentices graduate, Australian Rare Earths’ critical minerals coup and a multimillion-dollar investment in South Australian business events.
- Recent graduates set to strengthen Australia’s naval workforce
- Australian Rare Earths’ critical minerals coup
- AI bolsters South Australian economy
- New scholarships for critical skill shortages
- Govt’s $10m Business Events Adelaide investment
- East End site seeks developers
- Regional Voice survey opens for regional businesses
- Free AI Directory open for business
- Hydrogen pilot plant achieves milestone
Recent graduates set to strengthen Australia’s naval workforce
The first cohort of Hunter Class Frigate Program apprentices have graduated from defence and security company BAE Systems Australia, a milestone in the company’s commitment to create 1000 early-career positions.
Amongst the 22 graduates are 10 high school students who joined the program in 2020, studying a range of vital trades including steelwork, mechanical, and electrical.
“BAE Systems Australia is proud to welcome our first graduating cohort of apprentices. This program is creating thousands of Australian jobs while building national security and resilience,” said Georgette Elston, Head of Resourcing and Early Careers.
Australian Rare Earths’ critical minerals coup
The Federal Government has announced a new collaboration between South Australian company Australian Rare Earths (AR3) and the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
The partnership will allow AR3 to use ANSTO’s pilot rare-earth processing facility, enabling the South Australian company’s operations to move from lab testing to full-scale setups.
The facility, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to commence operations next year.
AR3 Managing Director Travis Beinke called the collaboration “a cornerstone in Australia’s ambitions to develop secure and sustainable magnet rare earth supply chains for renewable energy, electric mobility, and defence applications.”
“By leveraging ANSTO’s niche expertise and advanced infrastructure, AR3 is building sovereign rare earth capability,” he said.
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AI bolsters South Australian economy
The South Australian Business Chamber and William Buck Survey of Business Expectations’ September quarter survey showed the SA Confidence Index rose 6.6 points to 90.9, while the National Confidence Index rose to 80.7.
“We have recovered the ground lost earlier in the year and reached levels in the September quarter that we normally associate with a buoyant Christmas trading period,” said South Australian Business Chamber CEO Andrew Kay, attributing the statistics in part to renewed efficiencies thanks to AI.
According to the survey, 75.8 per cent of South Australian businesses are using AI, up from 58.1 per cent at this time last year.
“More than 70 per cent of businesses surveyed believe that AI will be important to their future,” Kay said.
However, he noted that “only 16.7 per cent of businesses have an AI policy to control its use in the workplace.”
“There is an urgent need to address the deficit in internal guidelines to protect data and intellectual property.”
New scholarships for critical skill shortages
As South Australia’s population continues to grow, the Department for Housing and Urban Development has announced new scholarships to address critical skill shortages in the planning industry.
Up to five scholarships will be awarded annually for the next five years, providing support to domestic students who meet the criteria and are commencing a Bachelor’s in Urban and Regional Planning at Flinders University.
“Amid a critical skills shortage in planning professions, our degree is the first of its kind in Australia and co-designed with industry, providing on-the-job training to support South Australia’s building boom and beyond,” said Flinders University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Romy Lawson.
Govt’s $10m Business Events Adelaide investment
The total value of the Business Events bid fund has risen to $38 million after the Malinauskas Labor Government announced a further $10 million investment.
South Australia’s pipeline of prospective business events more than doubled compared with this time last year, the state government claimed, and was valued at an estimated $3.1 billion over the next five years.
According to the University of Adelaide’s South Australian Centre for Economic Studies, interstate and overseas delegates spend an average of $1,165 per day in South Australia.
East End site seeks developers
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As demand for affordable inner-city housing continues to rise, a landmark holding in the East End is set for a major facelift as it has been released to market for development.
The State Government-backed project features a masterplan by Bates Smart, featuring over 700 new apartments, a 200-key hotel, 3000 square metres of commercial space and 2500 square metres of destination retail space.
Located between Rundle and Hutt Streets, the site’s national expression of interest campaign opened this week, led by Alinea Group and Colliers.
“The supersite of over 7,700 square metres provides a rare opportunity for development groups to partner with the landowner to lead a master-planned, precinct-shaping opportunity in the heart of the city centre,” said Alinea Group Managing Director Ben Koop.
Regional Voice survey opens for regional businesses
The Biennial Regional Voice survey has opened for businesses across regional South Australia.
Supported by claims manager EML, the survey provides insight into the issues faced by regional businesses. The data is used to shape the advocacy agenda for regional South Australia, helping Regional Voice push for practical changes that will best benefit rural businesses.
It takes around 15 minutes to complete and is a direct line from regional businesses to the people making decisions, including local councils, regional development associations, and state and federal governments.
Complete the survey here.
Free AI Directory open for business
Businesses looking for expertise in Artificial Intelligence can now use a free AI Capability Directory to find what they need, following its launch last week.
The AI Capability Directory maps South Australia’s AI capabilities in one place, including startups and researchers, to training providers and specialist builders. The platform is designed to help people and organisations find one another, access services, and build new partnerships.
“This is a practical tool to help South Australian businesses find AI capabilities and capitalise on AI technologies to boost their productivity,” Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence Michael Brown said.
All listings are shared with the National AI Capability Directory and businesses that provide their details will be searchable in South Australia, across the nation and internationally.
Visit the website here.
Hydrogen pilot plant achieves milestone
Sparc Hydrogen’s green hydrogen pilot plant has achieved a key milestone in the project, sustaining hydrogen generation via photocatalysis under concentrated solar conditions.
The Roseworthy-based pilot plant’s milestone marks an important step towards commercialisation of Sparc’s photocatalytic water splitting technology, the company said.
“Sustained hydrogen generation at Roseworthy is a significant milestone for Sparc Hyrdrogen and the broader green hydrogen and photocatalytic water splitting industries,” managing director Nick O’Loughlin said.
