7 April 2025
It’s all hands on deck for South Australia’s next generation of shipbuilders with the launch of two exciting employment initiatives.
The first cohort of South Australian trainees and apprentices took their first steps into the defence industry through the Defence Industry Pathways Program and Shipbuilding Employment Pathways pilot initiative.
The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways initiative will support apprentices throughout their four-year trade qualifications, building skills and experience in trades critical to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment industries.
Several intakes of apprentices will commence over the next two years, growing the future workforce for South Australia’s shipbuilders and supply chains.
Through the Defence Industry Pathways Program, trainees will receive hands-on experience working with defence industry employers, finishing in 12 months with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways.
Over the next three years, 150 South Australian trainees will begin their journey through this tailored pathway.
The program has been expanded from Western Australia, where it started as a pilot in 2021 and continues to thrive. Over the past four years, nine intakes have completed the program, with more than 70 per cent of graduates securing jobs in the maritime defence industry, while others have chosen to continue their training.
First Assistant Secretary Waterfront and Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Andy Cann welcomed the first South Australian trainee cohort, and highlighted the importance of the Defence Industry Pathways Program.
“The resounding success of the Defence Industry Pathways Program in Western Australia and its expansion into South Australia is part of how we develop the workforce to deliver maritime capabilities for the Australian Defence Force for decades to come,” Mr Cann said.
“Establishing the program in South Australia offers more opportunities for young people seeking to join the maritime defence industry, and ensures our nation’s long-term naval capability needs are supported by a highly skilled workforce.”
'I was drawn to this program because of my passion in cybersecurity, and it feels like the perfect first step. I’m looking forward to learning new skills and gaining real-world experience to help build my career in the field.'
For 23-year-old Matthew Clemente, one of the first South Australian trainees, the Defence Industry Pathways Program is exciting and a little nerve-wracking.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to pave the way for future trainees,” Mr Clemente said.
“I was drawn to this program because of my passion in cybersecurity, and it feels like the perfect first step. I’m looking forward to learning new skills and gaining real-world experience to help build my career in the field.”
Head Virginia Workforce and Commercial in the Australian Submarine Agency Rear Admiral David Mann said these initiatives demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership.
“These trainees and apprentices will get valuable experience in defence industry, growing the highly skilled workforce needed to support, enable and build nuclear-powered submarines,” Rear Admiral Mann said.
“This investment in our next generation of defence industry workers demonstrates our commitment to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.
“These initiatives will create rewarding, long-term career pathways for new workers in South Australia.”
The program is also one of the 22 initiatives contained in the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan.
The initiatives have been designed in partnership with industry to generate near-term and sustained longer-term impacts to address workforce demands and projected future needs, while also building on work already under way.
With plans to expand the Defence Industry Pathways Program across the country in future years, graduates are already proving to be an integral part of Australia’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise.
Peer Education Employment & Training Ltd (PEER) is supporting both initiatives, in partnership with TAFE SA. Visit their website to express interest in joining the next intakes of the programs: peer.com.au/careers/
