NZDF select Serco to develop Bridge Warfare Officer training

Maritime August 23, 2019

Serco Defence has been selected by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to provide specialist training services to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

Serco Asia Pacific Chief Executive Mark Irwin and Commodore Mathew Williams, Deputy Chief of Navy today signed the contract at HMNZS PHILOMEL, Devonport Naval Base, within the Bridge Simulator Facility at the RNZN Navigation School.

Serco will provide a team of highly qualified and dedicated specialists to support RNZN Bridge Warfare Officer training. This contract is similar to Serco’s Training Support Services contract, which has provided these services for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at HMAS Watson in Sydney since 2012. RNZN officers have previously travelled to Sydney to take part in this training but will now be undertaken by local New Zealanders.

The contract will require Serco to work in partnership with the RNZN over the next five years in developing training systems, solutions and courseware that enable officers to learn both theoretical and practical skills critical to their specialisation as Bridge Warfare Officers. This includes navigation (including astronomical navigation), ship driving, leadership and bridge resource management, using simulator training.

Mark Irwin said that Serco maintained a strong commitment to New Zealand and was pleased to provide this service to NZDF.

“We have been a trusted partner with the RAN for seven years, during which we have also provided training to RNZN Officers. We are pleased to now extend this relationship and expertise to New Zealand. Our Defence team will continue to deliver high quality training to our service personnel, on both sides of the Tasman. We remain committed to serving the people of New Zealand, providing services where we can deliver meaningful economic and social outcomes.

“Serco’s defence team will work closely with the Navy to develop the training programmes. We anticipate the first Bridge Warfare Officer Course will start in January 2020,” Mr Irwin said.