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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    News

    13th Nov 2024
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    New traineeship to boost South Australia’s defence workforce

    Did you know that 11,000 skilled defence industry workers will be required by the 2040s to deliver South Australian-based major defence projects?

    The number of skilled workers required is set to grow with the local construction of the SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

    Attracting people into the sector and providing clear development pathways is essential to build the pipeline of professionals needed to meet these demands.

    Now, workforce development efforts will be accelerated thanks to a bespoke Australian and South Australian Government-funded program launched today.

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    The Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP) is a new traineeship giving jobseekers the opportunity to combine industry-aligned study with paid on-the-job experience. 

    Trainees will embark on 12 months of theoretical and hands-on training in areas like work safety, administration, logistics and data handling, and some fundamentals of engineering.

    TAFE SA will support program participants with foundation knowledge training, while PEER will employ trainees and facilitate relevant work placements.

    Participants will develop key competencies by applying learnings directly into the workplace setting.

    By creating, training and retaining a highly skilled and experienced defence industry workforce, South Australia is preparing to fulfil Australia’s largest and most complex defence projects, and upholding the state’s reputation as the Defence State.

    PEER is now accepting expressions of interest from prospective DIPP participants with trainees expected to commence from March 2025. 

    PEER Chief Executive Officer Brian Rungie says a skilled South Australian workforce is critical in meeting the current and future defence industry workforce requirements.

    “PEER is extremely proud to be launching careers on this national endeavour,” he said.

    “Successful participants will develop valuable skills and knowledge that are in high demand within the defence sector.

    “This is the chance to start your successful career in an exciting and dynamic field that will have a meaningful impact on our future.”

    Contribute to the development of your business’s future workforce.

    Contact PEER to discuss the possibility of hosting a Defence Industry Pathways Program trainee or employing a participant upon graduation

    Find out more