First cohort begins workforce training as part of SA expansion to Defence Industry Pathways Program

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy welcomed the first group, stating, “The Defence Industry Pathways Program has already supported hundreds of trainees in Western Australia into rewarding and stable careers in sectors critical to Australia’s security and prosperity.”

A strong defence industry in South Australia is essential for the delivery of Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines and major surface combatant vessels, including the Hunter Class frigates. These capabilities will support thousands of jobs and underpin over $30 billion in investment in the state over the next decade.

Minister Conroy highlighted the significance of expanding these initiatives into South Australia, noting, “The expansion of this program, alongside the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Program, is an important step to build the skills we need to be ready for the construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines in Osborne later this decade.”

Nearly 300 more young South Australians will have access to these training and employment pathways, equipping them with the necessary skills for careers in the state’s growing defence industry.

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“South Australia is at the centre of the largest and most complex defence industry project in Australia’s history. These two programs provide an invaluable opportunity for young South Australians to gain skills that will lead to lifelong careers,” Minister Conroy said.

Designed to meet the specific skilling requirements of Australia’s maritime sector, these programs offer trainees and apprentices unparalleled opportunities to gain qualifications in critical areas that will strengthen the future defence industry workforce.

• The Defence Industry Pathways Program is a 12-month paid traineeship that offers training and hands-on experience across various sectors of the defence industry, supporting 150 trainees over three years.
• The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Program will attract and recruit apprentices in critical trades to expand Australia’s domestic skilled labour supply in the nuclear-powered submarine and naval shipbuilding industries. Funding will support 125 apprentices in commencing their trade qualifications over the next two years.

South Australian Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan welcomed the investment in South Australia’s defence industry, stating, “The Defence Industry Pathways Program and Shipbuilding Employment Pathways initiative enable people of all ages and career stages to get involved, ensuring South Australia’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed for this monumental task.”

At its peak, up to 5,500 direct jobs are expected to be created in South Australia for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. Additionally, the building of the Hunter Class frigates at Osborne will sustain at least 2,000 jobs and generate a minimum of 500 new jobs over the next decade.

“These programs are not only a vital investment in the future of our state’s workforce but also open doors to high-quality, secure careers in one of the most pivotal sectors for Australia’s national security,” Minister Mullighan said.

Peer Education Employment & Training Ltd (PEER) was selected in November as the Group Training Organisation to support these programs, in partnership with TAFE SA as the Registered Training Organisation.

Expressions of interest for the next intake of the Defence Industry Pathways Program and the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Programs can be submitted here: https://peer.com.au/careers/.

Businesses interested in participating can register their interest at https://peer.com.au/host-a-peer-apprentice and https://peer.com.au/host-a-peer-trainee.

More information on workforce initiatives supporting the construction of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines is available at https://www.asa.gov.au/jobs-careers.