- Memorandum of Understanding signed to explore
opportunities for defence-focused innovation, research industry and workforce
development in Rockingham
- Scholarship program to help veterans secure
careers in WA's defence industry
- Defence Industry Skills website to showcase
training and employment opportunities
- Cook Labor Government diversifying the WA
economy, creating quality local jobs
The
Cook Labor Government is building the skilled workforce to meet the growing
demands of the State's defence sector, with a package of defence careers
initiatives announced as part of Land Forces.
Western
Australia's defence industries sector is growing and is anticipated to need
10,000 workers over the next two decades, creating quality, high paying jobs
for locals.
Today,
Murdoch University, Curtin University and South Metropolitan TAFE signed a
Memorandum of Understanding outlining their intention to explore options to
establish Murdoch University's Rockingham campus as a centre for specialised
defence training and innovation to support AUKUS opportunities.
In
addition, the Cook Labor Government has opened applications for the $400,000
Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme (DIVES) scholarship program.
The
DIVES program provides targeted support to help Australian Defence Force
members and veterans embark on a career in WA's defence industry.
Through
the program, ADF veterans and current serving members who are transitioning or
separating from the ADF within the next six months can apply for a scholarship
of up to $5,000.
The
scholarship will help ADF veterans cover course fees and other expenses
associated with vocational training or university qualifications relevant to
careers in defence industries and includes access to the specialist career
planning support through the South Metropolitan TAFE's Rockingham Jobs and
Skills Centre.
A
Defence Industry Skills website has also been launched to showcase career,
training and workforce development opportunities in Western Australia's growing
defence industry.
The
website complements a range of Cook Labor Government initiatives designed to
build the skilled workforce needed to support the sector into the future.
For more
information visit defenceindustryskills.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Skills and TAFE and Minister Assisting the
Defence Industries Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"WA's defence
industry is ramping up and will soon be our State's second-largest industry.
"With the
industry set to support more than 10,000 skilled jobs over the next two
decades, the Cook Labor Government is investing heavily in training to build
our workforce and ensure locals are at the front of the queue to take up these
great jobs.
"That means
delivering new training opportunities, supporting veterans to pivot into new
roles, and showcasing the jobs and opportunities this sector has to offer.
"Now is the
time for ADF veterans, or those planning to transition from the ADF, to pivot
to a career in the defence industry."
Comments
attributed to Veterans Minister Hannah Beazley:
"ADF
veterans bring a diverse range of technical, project management and leadership
experience that is well aligned with careers in the defence industry.
"The Defence
Industry Veterans Employment Scheme scholarship program is a practical way
we're helping veterans offset the costs associated with upskilling and
cross-skilling, so they can embark on careers in WA's growing defence
industries."
Comments
attributed to Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall:
"This is a great opportunity to explore reactivation of
the Murdoch Rockingham campus and support the next generation of defence skills
and innovation.
"Rockingham is located at the heart of WA's growing
defence industry and as the industry grows, I want Rockingham locals to be
first in line to access the jobs and opportunities this growth will create."
