Employment Training

Other Ranks (Technical)

On completion of Recruit training you will be posted to HMAS Stirling in WA to undertake an Enhanced Selection Process (ESP) Course for one week.

The ESP is a two way process in which:

• Personnel can make an informed decision as to their suitability for submarine service; and
• The member’s suitability for submarine service will be assessed.

Once you have been assessed as suitable at the ESP you will return to HMAS Cerberus for the following ET category training.

Course: Electronics Technician Initial Technical Training (ITT)

Duration: 38 weeks

Location: HMAS Cerberus, Crib Point, Victoria

Note: Prior to commencing employment training, the level of maths ability is assessed to determine whether remedial maths training is required.

The ITT course comprises a mix of technical theory and practical instruction in workshops and laboratories and will provide training to equip the sailor with the underpinning knowledge to complete a Competency Task Journal via the award of the following competencies:

• Perform engineering measurements;
• Perform computations;
• Apply principles of occupational health and safety in the work environment;
• Plan to undertake a routine task;
• Plan a complete activity;
• Apply quality systems;
• Apply quality procedures;
• Organise and communicate information;
• Work with others in a manufacturing, engineering or related environment;
• Interact with computing technology;
• Assist in the provision of on the job training;
• Perform manual soldering/desoldering – electrical/electronic components;
• Interpret technical drawing;
• Terminate and connect electrical wiring;
• Install and test electrical wiring and circuits up to 1000 VDC and 1500 VAC;
• Perform electrical/electronic measurement;
• Perform precision electrical/electronic measurement;
• Use hand tools;
• Use power tools/hand held operations;
• Fault find and repair/rectify basic electrical circuits;
• Disconnect/reconnect fixed wired equipment up to 1000 VDC and 1500 VAC;
• Fault find,test and calibrate instrumentation systems and equipment;
• Dismantle, replace and assemble engineering components;
• Maintain/service analog/digital electronic equipment;
• Terminate signal and data cables;
• Provide initial response to a critical incident;
• Work in confined spaces;
• Work aloft;
• Maintain instrumentation system components;
• Undertake manual handling;
• Order materials/spares;
• Perform emergency first aid;
• Work safely with industrial chemicals and materials;
• Shut down and isolate machine/equipment;
• Diagnose and maintain electronic controlling systems on mobile plant; and
• Use mathematical techniques and perform simple statistical computations.

At the end of category training instead of joining the surface fleet directly you will be posted to the Submarine Training and Systems Centre to undertake your submarine specialisation training.

Initial Collins Class Course (ICCC)

Duration: 5 weeks

Consists of a series of Computer based and instructor based modules that introduces the students to the construction, systems and their inter-relationships that make up the submarine. The students also undertake Submarine Fire-fighting and Submarine Escape during this 5 week period.

ETSM Training

Duration: Approximately 5 months

Designed to give the student the requisite knowledge to undertake their job as part of the submarine technical and tactical departments.

The course covers:

• Combat System basics including the maintenance and operation of the existing and replacement combat system networks;
• Navigational Aids with subject ranging from basic echo sounders and navigation RADAR through to military satellite navigation and inertial navigation systems;
• Internal and External communication systems where the ET sailor is taught the basic operation and maintenance of the submarines internal communications and PABX systems as well as instruction in High Frequency and Satellite Communications; and
• The final section of the course covers in depth instruction in the tactical operation of the combat systems tracking and firing functions as the majority of the ET's time is spent as one of the tactical watchkeepers.

Upon successful completion of ETSM training, the sailor is posted to an available training billet onboard a submarine where they undertake their Submarine Sea Qualification (SMSQ) task book. The task book is used to consolidate all the knowledge they have learnt in the STSC and prove they have what it takes to earn their "dolphins".

Further information is available on the Submariner pages.