The South Australian government has taken a critical step in preparing South Australians for future jobs in the defence industry with the public release of the state’s defence industry workforce and skills strategy.
The South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Strategy 2018-2022 focuses on vocational skills and training, and provides a clear and co-ordinated approach to building a skilled workforce to maximise the job opportunities stemming from naval shipbuilding projects being undertaken in the state.
An integrated project team, led by Defence SA with representatives from the Department for Innovation and Skills, Department for Education and TAFE SA, developed the strategy and is now implementing the action plan.
The strategy drives stronger collaboration between the South Australian government, the Australian government, industry and the education and training sectors to understand workforce requirements and deliver secondary and vocational training that meets the current and future needs of the defence industry and will ensure South Australia has a workforce with the right skills and qualifications to meet the future demands of our defence industry.
South Australia is embarking on some of the most significant Defence projects in Australia’s history, including the delivery of the $90 billion naval shipbuilding program and projects in cyber and systems, electronic warfare and big data.
Defence SA chief executive Richard Price said the team has been implementing the actions of the strategy since 2018.
“By working more collaboratively with the Australian government, industry, training providers and universities, we can better promote awareness and career pathways in defence industry,” Price said.
“We are focused on meeting the needs of defence industry by ensuring our students, apprentices and existing workers develop and maintain the trade, technical, science and technology skills that will be needed for shipbuilding at all stages of their careers.”
The strategy’s key strategic objectives include:
- Collaborate with the Australian government and industry stakeholders to develop a fit for purpose defence industry workforce for current and future defence projects;
- Build world-class capability across the education and training system to deliver graduates with the skills demanded by the defence industry; and
- Work with the defence industry to co-design and co-invest in building workforce capability in the state.
To view the strategy, visit here.
