Building a defence industry career

The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways program is a four-year apprenticeship with a Certificate III in specialised areas including fabrication, mechanical engineering, and electrotechnology.

The Australian Submarine Agency has partnered with PEER and TAFE SA to deliver this program.

PEER is now accepting expressions of interest, with the first cohort of apprentices expected to begin in March 2025.

Facilitated by Ai Group, the DICP is a scholarship and internship program designed to support university students into a defence industry career.

Students enrolled in science, engineering, maths and other defence industry-related courses are invited to apply.

Successful applicants will undertake internships with defence primes or businesses in the defence industry supply chain.

An Australian first, the unique degree apprenticeship model is designed to equip more South Australians with the STEM skills and experience required for defence industry careers.

Students combine their university studies with paid industry placements (an apprenticeship).

To date, two Degree Apprenticeship pilot programs have been established by local universities in partnership with government and industry:

• Software Engineering at the University of South Australia.
• Mechanical Engineering at Flinders University.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact a participating South Australian university to get involved.

The Defence Industry Leadership Program (DILP) has played a pivotal role in nurturing the personal and professional growth of more than 300 defence industry leaders since its establishment in 2010.

Targeting existing defence industry or aligned workers, the DILP supports up to 50 participants per year to achieve a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management, tailored to defence industry requirements.

Delivered by the Defence Teaming Centre, applications for the 2025 cohort are now open.