For Blake, working at ASC isn’t just a job – it’s personal.

The 18-year-old industrial electrical apprentice has joined a highly skilled workforce responsible for maintaining and upgrading the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines.

Blake appreciates better than most how critical the work is – every bolt tightened, every system checked, every upgrade installed helps to protect deployed Navy personnel like Blake’s dad, Tom who is a submariner in the Royal Australian Navy.

“I joined ASC to help keep my dad safe at sea,” Blake says.

Based at ASC’s submarine yard at Henderson in Western Australia, Blake is approaching six months with the organisation. So far? “It’s been really good,” he says. “I’m learning a lot, and there are a lot of great tradies to help us and train us.”

Fifteen years ago, Tom was working in an abattoir in Tamworth, NSW, when a small Navy recruitment ad on the back page of the local newspaper caught his eye. He applied for a job, and hasn’t looked back.

“I love it,” Tom says.

“I’ll probably never leave. I love seeing and experiencing what submarines can do. It’s awesome.”

Day to day, Tom is a senior electrical maintainer, based at the Navy’s HMAS Stirling Garden Island base – not far from Blake.

Tom has previously deployed in a submarine. During these deployments, Tom is tasked with supporting maintenance of the submarine.

The father of three is proud of his work, and his colleagues.

“Submariners are a proud bunch. We love what we do, and it’s good to be able to promote the people and the Collins capability,” says Tom.

Blake has followed his mum Ash’s, footsteps, who has worked at ASC’s Henderson site for nearly two years.

Currently Acting Team Lead for Configuration Change, Ash takes pride in being part of ASC’s mission to support the Navy.

“I absolutely love my job, not just for the tasks I perform but for the purpose and impact behind them,” Ash says.

“It’s fulfilling to be part of something bigger, where even the smallest updates can make a significant difference.”

Ash is incredibly proud of her eldest child for commencing his career journey at ASC, and “can’t wait to see all the amazing things he’ll accomplish”.

Tom agrees.

“The world’s his oyster,” he says.

“There are years of work ahead, with Collins and AUKUS – enough to keep him busy for a long time yet.”