An Industry Advisory Board has been appointed to guide work of the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence (DISCE).
The DISCE, jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments and led by South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE), is responsible for designing and delivering innovative training to skill, reskill and upskill Western Australians to take up jobs in the State’s growing defence industry.
The Board comprises 12 representatives from industry, government, unions, First Nations peoples, TAFE and universities and will guide the strategic direction, priorities and governance of the DISCE.
Appointed by the Minister for Skills and TAFE, the Board will provide the Minister with future-focused advice that supports the development of the pipeline of skilled and productive workers for WA’s defence industry. It will be a clear voice for industry on the workforce requirements and TAFE investment needed to support continuous defence shipbuilding and sustainment work in WA.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Head of the Office of Defence Industries, Linda Dawson, has been appointed as the Chair of the Board. Ms Dawson brings a depth of experience working in operations, corporate and community development areas of organisations across the resources and utilities sector.
Supporting the Board is Andrew Widdis, who has been appointed the Executive Director of the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence.
Mr Widdis is a nationally recognised leader in defence industry training and workforce development, with more than 20 years’ experience across defence industry education, simulation and capability development. He has led major national initiatives supporting Australia’s naval shipbuilding, sustainment and emerging technology sectors, working closely with industry, government and education partners to build sovereign capability.
The establishment of a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson shipyard for continuous shipbuilding and submarine sustainment; as well as extensive infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling to facilitate the AUKUS Optimal Pathway, underpin significant Commonwealth Government investment in WA over the next decade.
These projects are expected to require more than 10,500 skilled workers in 2035. With around 6,400 skilled workers already working in the industry, the DISCE will play an integral role in building the necessary workforce to meet this demand.
The DISCE is leading work on a range of training initiatives designed to respond to current and future workforce needs across the defence industry.
SM TAFE delivers training and program administration for the DISCE through its campuses along the Western Trade Coast, including Naval Base, Munster, Rockingham and Fremantle.
To learn more about the Board please visit the DISCE Advisory Board page.
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