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A group of young Indigenous Australians have been given the chance to experience a taste of life in the Navy during a work experience program at HMAS Albatross and Creswell.
As part of the first Indigenous Navy Aviation Overview work experience placement, seven high school students with an interest in a Defence career toured a range of different sites over three days in July, as well as gaining hands-on experience as they discovered numerous possible career pathways.
The group inspected the MRH-90 helicopters at 808 Squadron, saw the Helicopter Aircrew Training System, and learnt about Navy’s newest squadron, 822X, and the unmanned aircraft systems they operate.
They were also given firsthand experience of MH-60R Seahawk aircrew training simulators, as well as visiting the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the armoury, the aviation training section, Albatross Health Centre, the airfield tower and meteorological sections and the Naval Aviation Sea Survival Centre.
Program coordinator Petty Officer Phil Black was pleased to highlight the broad range of career opportunities available in the Navy.
“The inaugural Indigenous Navy Aviation Overview work experience placement was a unique opportunity for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to get a taste of what life in Defence is like,” PO Black said.
“From a Navy and Albatross perspective, our partnership with the work experience team provides for some fantastic opportunities for students to come onto base, engage with Defence personnel and see firsthand the range of assets and daily activities of a fully operational base.”
The activity was one of many provided by the Defence Work Experience Program that runs throughout the year.
The popular program gives more than 2,000 high school students each year the opportunity to experience the broad range of career options on offer with the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Public Service.
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