April and May last year were the peaks of a massive shift in Australia’s apprentice system due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however the situation has now all but reversed. New research from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) found that in the first six months of 2020, the number of suspended apprentice and…
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The federal government today announced more than $1.2 million in Defence Global Competitiveness grant funding to boost the export capability of six Australian small businesses. Perth’s Orbital Corporation received $195,624 to expand its production capability for engines and flight componentry for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles. Brisbane-based Gaardtech will use its grant of $166,000 to buy…
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Defence, communications and space manufacturer Electro Optics Systems reported an operating loss of $11.7 million in the June half year on revenues up from $75 million in the previous corresponding period to $97.8 million. EOS has suffered interruptions in the delivery of remote weapons stations (RWS) in its biggest-ever order during the half due to…
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The Western Australian government’s 2021-22 State budget is investing in manufacturing including green steel, green hydrogen and battery metals, with the establishment of a $100 million Investment Attraction and New Industries Fund (IANIF). The fund aims to support economic diversification and find new opportunities in industries that are only just emerging. The fund will support…
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By Brent Balinski Various kinds of bionics have been and are being developed to restore function. The standout Australian contribution so far has been Cochlear’s hearing aid implant. It’s something to look up to, says Dr Farzaneh Ahmadi, CEO and founder of bionic voice startup Laronix. “One of our hopes is to sort of go…
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An Australian-made satellite was launched into space from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday. CUAVA-1 is the lead project of the University of Sydney-led ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles and their applications (CUAVA.) The three kilogram satellite travelling on a SpaceX rocket contains four operating research instruments which will be used…
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Electro Optic Systems subsidiary EM Solutions has won a $15 million contract to supply communications equipment to NATO navies. The Brisbane company won orders to supply its new 2-metre Fleet Satellite Communications Terminals to three leading NATO navies. To be fitted to frigates and warships from 2022, the order takes EM Solutions order book to…
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By Peter Roberts Such is the enormous scale of Sun Cable’s proposed Northern Territory solar farm and electricity export cable to Singapore than many have trouble believing that this energy – and soon to be manufacturing – megaproject is really getting underway. Originally envisaged as 14 GW solar farm coupled with 33 GWh of battery…
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Decarbonising airplanes and drones is a major challenge as we move towards decarbonising the economy. Here Kerryn Caulfield profiles Praxis Aeronautics, whose novel composite structural systems are making solar-powered flight a possibility. The Adelaide based startup Praxis Aeronautics specialises in the design and manufacture of solar energy harvesting composite structures, using a process that directly…
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SEA Electric to display four truck models at Expo Australian electric vehicle drive manufacturer SEA Electric will display four Ford and Hino-based electric trucks and vans at the Ride & Drive experience scheduled for Long Beach, California in September. The vehicles feature the Melbourne-made electric SEA-Drive Power System (pictured), which are fitted to chassis in…
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