Industry News

K-TIG MOVES TOWARDS FABRICATION OF NUCLEAR WASTE VESSELS

K-TIG is expanding its horizons in the nuclear waste disposal sector, moving to take over fabrication of the critical vessels in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

K-TIG has signed a MoU with nuclear engineering firm Darchem Engineering to novate a contract for producing three cubic metre intermediate level waste (ILW) nuclear storage containers. Novation would involve the extinguishment of the contract with Darchem with the intention that K-TIG seek partners or develops the fabrication facilities itself to produce the containers in return for paying Darchem a royalty for each container it produces.

K-TIG has a partnership with the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) for the purpose of optimising the design and manufacturing process for ILW nuclear waste storage containers utilising K-TIG’s rapid welding technologies.

A key part of the partnership involves the development of QC and QA technologies utilising acoustic arc, ultrasonic and visual inspection to minimise welding defects and reduce rework. JOBS AND SKILLS AUSTRALIA WILL HELP TACKLE SKILLS CRISIS

The new Labor government’s first piece of legislation introduced to Parliament establishes a new statutory body aiming to address the skills crisis. Skills and Training Minister, Brendan O’Connor introduced a bill in late July establishing Jobs and Skills Australia as a statutory body sitting within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The body will replace the National Skills Commissioner, with accompanying legislation introduced to scrap this body, which was launched in mid-2020 by the former Coalition government.

“The Albanese government has wasted no time and introducing Jobs and Skills Australia will make a real difference. It is a step towards addressing the nation’s skills crisis, contributing to productivity improvements, economic growth and creating more secure and better employment opportunities for Australian workers,” O’Connor said in Parliament.

The new body will provide independent advice to the relevant Minister or Department secretary on a range of current and emerging labour market and workforce skills and training issues in order to improve employment opportunities for individuals and help drive economic growth. It will also lead research and analysis, undertake forecasting and liaise with state governments.