World class training
The state’s established universities underpin South Australia’s defence training capability, namely:
Further, Carnegie Mellon University and Cranfield University have broken new ground by offering international defence-related courses in Australia.
The state’s critical mass of defence companies work with South Australian based universities and training organisations to develop and tailor specific courses to meet industry needs.
These are just some of the defence-specific courses on offer in Adelaide to deliver a job ready workforce:
- Master of Marine Engineering program (in association with ASC) - University of Adelaide
- Modelling and Simulation in Defence Communication Networks - Cranfield University
- Master of Project Management program (in association with ASC) - University of South Australia
- Master of Military Systems Integration (in association with Saab Systems, BAE Systems and ASC) - University of South Australia
- Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) – Flinders University
- Bachelor of Engineering (Maritime Electronics) – Flinders University
Vocational education and training
The South Australian Government is committed to building on our state’s strong economic foundations in order to promote and maintain sustainable growth.
Increased investment in the vocational education and training system (VET) will play a key role in meeting the future needs of industry. The State Government has committed the largest investment in skills in the state’s history - $194 million over six years to create 100,000 additional training places.
South Australian defence companies were successful in securing $1.7 million in funding in the latest round of Productivity Places Program (PPP) funding that will see 1,185 training places allocated to 30 South Australian defence companies.
TAFE SA - SA’s largest VET provider, has a demonstrated track record in working with the defence industry to customise training to meet specific needs of enterprises as well as developing defence-specific apprenticeship training courses through to the Advanced Diploma level.
Pathways
A range of pathway programs are available in SA schools that aim to:
- develop industry pathways
- promote a greater interest in maths and science
- adapt course structures and content to meet industry requirements.
Key examples include:
- Advanced Technology Industry-School Pathways Program
- VET in Schools Program
- Defence Pathways Program
- Trade Schools for the Future Program
- Concept2Creation Program
STEM Skills Strategy
The South Australian Government has launched its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills Strategy, aimed at increasing the supply of people taking up STEM occupations to meet the growing needs of our local industries, including mining and defence.
Demand in South Australia for people in the STEM occupations such as engineering, environmental scientists, ICT systems analysts, and allied trades such as electricians, toolmakers, and metals casting trades workers is set to increase dramatically over the next ten years.
The STEM Skills Strategy recognises that while there has been substantial government investment in improving the supply of people with STEM skills into the workforce, a more strategic approach to investment is required in order for the supply of these skills to match forecast industry demand in the timeframes required.
The implementation of the strategy will be overseen by a high level STEM Cabinet Task Force, led by the Hon Jay Weatherill, Minister for Science and the Information Economy and including the Ministers responsible for Trade, Defence, Mineral Resources, and Employment and Further Education.
