Kick-start your career with PEER as an Engineering Mechanical Apprentice.

This is your opportunity to earn while you learn, building real-world skills and hands-on experience in the fast-growing maritime defence industry, setting you up for a strong and secure future.

PEER, in partnership with the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments and TAFE SA, is excited to bring the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways (SEP) Pilot Initiative to South Australia.  SEP is designed to increase Australia's skilled labour in critical trades within the nuclear-powered submarine, naval shipbuilding, and sustainment enterprises. This is a unique opportunity to develop the skills and experience you will need to thrive in one of the world’s most innovative, and high-impact sectors.

About You
You’re motivated, reliable and ready to commit to a 4-year apprenticeship in the growing defence industry. You enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, teamwork, and follow safety procedures. Strong computer and numeracy skills are essential.

About the Role
Train toward a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical through PEER and TAFE SA, Regency Park, with on-the-job experience, hosted with leading defence employers across SA.

You’ll learn to:

• Operate and maintain machinery – working with tools like lathes, mills, and CNC machines to manufacture and repair components.

• Complete precision machining and fitting – producing high-quality components to exact specifications using a range of tools and equipment.
• Interprets technical drawings – understanding blueprints and specifications to produce accurate parts.
• Performs fitting and assembly work – putting together mechanical components and ensuring they function correctly.
• Conducts maintenance and troubleshooting – identifying faults in equipment and carrying out repairs to keep operations running smoothly.

You’ll receive full mentoring and support, plus a competitive wage, leave entitlements and superannuation.

Ideal for school leavers, career changers, or anyone wanting to build a career in defence.

Who are we:

PEER is a non-profit industry-based organisation, a Group Training Organisation (GTO) and an award-winning Registered Training Organisation (RTO), delivering nationally accredited training packages to meet South Australia’s skill development needs. With 87,000 people trained, 92% apprentice completion rates, 98% of apprentices employed on completion and over 5,600 apprentices trained, we are the largest employer of apprentices within the Building and Construction industry in SA.

We welcome applications form all backgrounds and experience levels however, due to the defence orientation of this role, successful candidates must be eligible to obtain an appropriate level of defence Security Clearance, as defined in the AGSVA guidelines.

PEER are neurodiversity-inclusive, please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments or support you may require.

Please note, should your application progress, you will be required to complete pre-employment checks. These checks may include but are not limited to, aptitude testing, reference checks, national police check, citizenship check, working with children check and a medical – drug and alcohol testing.

Key Dates:

Commencement Date: 13th July 2026

Applications close: Friday May 28th

Assessment Centre and Interviews: Late May / Early June