RDA Hunter welcomes the recent announcement of the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct.  RDA Hunter’s diverse Skilled Workforce Initiative has programs which are well positioned to assist the local industry fill the thousands of jobs that will be created and required for sustainment of the Special Activation Precinct for decades to come.

Read more about the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct.
View the Media Release from Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro.

The new precinct will build on the NSW Government’s existing investment into the Astra Aerolab and create highly-skilled, long-term job opportunities that will attract investors, and strengthen the region’s economy. The master planning process will investigate more than 10,000 hectares of land within the Port Stephens Local Government Area, including Newcastle Airport and its surrounds.

Defence and aerospace hub

The Hunter region has a long history of supporting Australia’s defence industry. The RAAF base at Williamtown is Australia’s primary Department of Defence fighter pilot training base. It is home to Australia’s F-35 fleet and the Asia Pacific Regional Warehouse for F-35s. The strategic location of the Williamtown precinct next to the RAAF base, creates opportunities to attract new and existing businesses, like Astra Aerolabs and BAE Systems, in the defence and aerospace industries.

The precinct will bring together specialised large scale international prime contractors, small and medium enterprises, and research and development institutions to create jobs and attract talent into the region.

Education, training and job opportunities

The Hunter has an existing skilled workforce to support defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The Williamtown precinct will help to attract even more highly-skilled and well-paid workers from defence and aerospace industries that will bring new cashflow into the region, along with education and training opportunities. Preliminary estimates indicate over 4,300 new jobs could be created by a Williamtown precinct.