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Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has officially opened the National Defence Industry Skilling and Workforce Summit and the launch of the Defence Industry Internship Program to support the government’s $200 billion investment in Australia’s defence capability.
Minister Price opened the National Defence Industry Skilling and Workforce Summit – with more than 100 defence skills industry leaders expected to gather in Perth this week to work on a plan to ensure Australia has the skilled workforce it needs to deliver the Morrison government’s job-creating defence industry agenda.
"The two-day summit will drive the unified national effort required to build a skilled defence industry workforce, which is critical to delivering our $200 billion investment in enhanced defence capability," Minister Price said.
As a key initiative of the 2019 Defence Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy, the summit will facilitate the co-ordination necessary to build a greater understanding of future defence industry workforce needs.
Groups attending will include Australian industry, all levels of government, education providers and industry associations and networks.
Minister Price added, "The supply of skilled defence industry workers is critical, requiring all stakeholders across industry and government to work together. This summit is the start of an important conversation, bringing the skills-needs of our sector into the limelight."
Further supporting this is the minister's announcement of increased funding to the Defence Industry Internship Program, which would now provide 70 internships nationwide.
Minister Price explained, "The program links engineering students with defence industry by facilitating 12-week internships with defence industry small businesses. It provides the next generation of Aussie engineers with hands-on experience in defence industry, and will help to attract the workers we need to deliver the Morrison government’s $200 billion build-up of defence capability."
Other measures in the strategy include a $4 million grants program to support skills training in defence industry, $2.6 million for the continuation of the Schools Pathways Program, and the establishment of the Defence Industry Skills Office.
"As a key initiative of the Defence Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy, the Morrison government is investing $1.9 million in the Defence Industry Internship Program in 2019-20," Minister Price added.
The inaugural National Defence Industry Skilling and Workforce Summit is being held on 6-7 November 2019 at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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