South Australia's opposition has questioned why the state's Naval Shipbuilding College will be closed without a replacement.
About 35 jobs are expected to go as the college, in the Adelaide suburb of Osborne, closes next month after the federal government decided not to renew its contract.
The college, which opened in 2018, analyses anticipated workforce demand across shipbuilding and maintains a register of people with relevant skills, but does not provide teaching.
State Trade Minister Nick Champion said he was confident a new contract would fill the gap.
"What we want to see is a direct relationship between the training institutions, universities, TAFE and others with the prime contractor," he said.
Mr Champion said the state government would be having "direct discussions with the federal government" relating to all aspects of the shipbuilding industry.
"[It's] obviously critical for the state and we want to help deliver these very important naval assets to the country," he said.
'Huge concern' about closure
Liberal senator Simon Birmingham questioned why the college would be closed without a replacement lined up.
"Because we know one of the biggest risks to successful naval shipbuilding in Australia are workforce challenges," he said.
Senator Birmingham said the college worked with industry to assess their workforce needs and help frame training programs with universities, TAFEs and other providers.
"And [it] was helping to marry and match up thousands of students with training and ultimately with employers," he said.
"That's what it's purpose was for and that's indeed the work it was getting on and doing."
Opposition state defence industry spokesman Stephen Patterson said the college's closure was "a huge concern to defence industries" in South Australia.
"In its place we need something that can really help grow our workforce needs because we know that South Australia really is home of the nation's surface and submarine fleets and we want to see that continue, so any replacement is vital," he said.
