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PODCAST: Sustainment driving the development of Australia’s future aerospace workforce

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PODCAST: Sustainment driving the development of Australia’s future aerospace workforce

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, recorded live on site in Avalon on day two of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive Vince Di Pietro and Professor Deborah Hodgson from the University of Newcastle to discuss the Altitude Accord and the role defence primes play in supporting the development of Australia’s future workforce.

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, recorded live on site in Avalon on day two of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive Vince Di Pietro and Professor Deborah Hodgson from the University of Newcastle to discuss the Altitude Accord and the role defence primes play in supporting the development of Australia’s future workforce.

They will talk about the role defence primes like Lockheed Martin Australia play in supporting the development of regional Australia and the impact the Altitude Accord, signed between Regional Development Australia Hunter, Lockheed Martin Australia and the University of Newcastle, will have in creating economic opportunities.

As the program of focus for Australias F-35s has shifted from acquisition to the operational and sustainment stage, Di Pietro and Professor Hodgson will discuss the importance of the support provided by primes like Lockheed Martin in supporting the $1 billion defence and aerospace industry in the Hunter region, while also looking at the role tertiary education institutions like the University of Newcastle can play in supporting Defence and industry. 

Finally, they will address the role of nurturing the growing talent pool of regional Australia and the investment model for industry and academic collaboration, which will play a critical role in supporting the long-term development of Australias future defence and aerospace workforce.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team

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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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east
Episode 10: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 9: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 8: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 7: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 6: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 5: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 2: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh