Building on the previous $18 million investment by the WA State Government to boost defence industry capabilities and the trades workforce; a further $11 million package is helping to ensure a pipeline of skilled professional and paraprofessional workers, and create new opportunities for training and employment in this priority sector.
Explore the uniquely tailored support programs and financial incentives available to facilitate student and career changer journeys into Western Australia's defence industry.
Defence Industry Pathways Program
This program was developed in partnership with WA's maritime defence industry and South Metropolitan TAFE and is perfect for students and career changers. It's designed as a "taster" program covering a range of areas, including cyber security, logistics, engineering, and technical. Course fees are fully subsidised, with no cost to participants.
The Defence Industry Pathways Program offers a fully funded, 12-month paid traineeship. This includes paid annual leave, personal leave and superannuation during the period of the traineeship. The Commonwealth Government is contributing almost $45,000 per trainee to fund wages and uniform including safety footwear.
The program includes mentoring and on the job training with some of WA's leading defence industry employers, as well as on-campus training at TAFE for a nationally recognised qualification.
Defence Industry Internship and Graduate Scholarship Program
The Defence Industry Internship and Graduate Scholarship Program is designed to boost the uptake of interns, graduates and trainees in Western Australia’s defence industry.
Scholarships will place 190 interns and 50 graduates in Western Australia’s defence industry over the next three years to help ensure a pipeline of skilled professional and para-professional workers for the sector.
Eligible qualifications relate to occupations including engineers, project managers, logistics-related personnel, technical officers, commercial management professionals, cyber and ICT professionals, and occupations that support a ‘smart’ Industry 4.0 defence industry workforce.
Through Programmed Training Services, these programs provide first-hand practical experience with global leaders and multiple positions are available.
Take the opportunity to experience each role first-hand and find the perfect pathway for your future.
$5,000 Women in Defence Industry scholarship
The Women in Defence Industry Scholarship Program is delivered by South Metropolitan TAFE in partnership with industry. The program offers two qualifications, achieved over six months; the Certificate II in Electronics, and the Certificate III in Engineering – Technical, which can open up a range of job and career opportunities in the defence industry.
The scholarship provides valuable skills for women who have just finished school, are returning to work, or seeking a career change. 20 scholarships are offered every year (2021–24), each to a value of $5,000 for training.
For more information visit the South Metropolitan TAFE website.
Kate secures a job in electronics assembly
Kate completed a Certificate II Electronic and a Certificate III in Engineering – Technical through the Women in Defence Industry scholarship program.
A bookkeeper for nine years, this scholarship gave Kate the confidence to change her career and take a leap to study in a new area for a new career.
Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Many defence industry employers have programs such as apprenticeships and traineeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, offering opportunities to achieve a trades or professional qualification. To find out more and for training advice, submit an enquiry form here.
There are Aboriginal school-based apprenticeships or traineeships offered to students in years 10, 11 and 12, supporting Aboriginal students to gain the skills need for post-secondary school study or employment.
There are multiple pathways to an electrical apprenticeship
Alex and Blaine each followed a different pathway to an electrical apprenticeship, and are enjoying their roles in Western Australia's defence industry.
Western Australian TAFE scholarships
Western Australia's TAFE colleges offer a range of scholarships to assist with the cost of training, and offer opportunities for career changers to upskill or reskill.
Visit the TAFE college websites to see what scholarships are available.