Techos learn ROPES

L-R: Mr Ted Curr (Raytheon), LSETSM Daniel Lee and Mr Dane Butler (Raytheon). Daniel worked with Raytheon as part of the new ROPES program for technical sailors.

Technical sailors ashore now have the opportunity to work with civilian companies, thanks to a new program called ROPES.

The program, Retention by Out-Placement for the Enhancement of Skills, has been providing temporary employment for submarine technical sailors. It is designed to assist with the sailor’s professional development.

The companies used are those who service Defence needs, such as service support contractors.

During 2003, the ROPES program will be expanded nationally to include non-submariners and will be managed through FIMA’s.

The pilot program has been running since last October and involves two submariner technical rates working within submarine In Service Support (ISS) contractor organisations.

LSMTSM Warren Bassie worked with the Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC) as the mechanical maintenance co-ordinator for HMAS Sheean’s Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP) 7.

Mr Gary Glynn-Roe of ASC said, “Having Warren working with us has brought a positive change in the interaction I see between RAN personnel and contractors. There is better communication and this helps enormously with the planning and conduct of an activity like an AMP”.

LSETSM Daniel Lee worked with Raytheon Australia Limited (RAL) technicians to provide combat system maintenance support.

Mr Ted Curr of RAL saw some of the intangible benefits for his company.

“I see the benefit for us being in the future when Daniel is back at sea on a submarine. By working with us, I expect a higher level of systems knowledge will result and that can help with the identification and rectification of defects.”

LS Lee said, “I have had a better exposure to hands on technical work with RAL. I have also gained a good awareness of the support facilities and capabilities available to us from RAL such as fibre optic testing equipment.”

Early indications are that ROPES is achieving its objective of skills and knowledge transfer as well as providing meaningful work while ashore. ROPES will continue to trial on a selected basis RAN wide this year.

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