Chance to Embed ADF Personnel in Your Business

In previous issues of Defence Business, companies have discussed the benefits of being able to work closely with ADF personnel to understand how their concept, product or service will actually work in the real world.

Defence employees are now able to work with small and medium businesses as part of a new program aimed at giving them a hands-on insight into Australia's defence industry. The Defence Industry Secondment Program is designed to give Defence staff the opportunity to work inside Australian businesses and to learn new commercial skills to bring back to Defence.

However, many defence businesses see the two-way value in being able to embed Defence personnel in their business to gain firsthand feedback on their business plans.

The program is also designed to help Defence “understand the pressures Australian businesses face on a daily basis and will create long-term change for the way Defence and industry work together to deliver essential capability”. Secondees have been selected from an expressions of interest process, with alumni from the Defence Industry Studies Course specifically invited to participate. Secondees are matched to hosts based on their skills and location. Both ADF personnel and Defence Australian Public Servants can undertake placements for a period of up to six weeks during an initial pilot program.

The first wave of placements is now in place, and an Evaluate, Review, Adapt and Improve model will be used to deliver continuous improvement for the businesses and participants. For more information or to register your interest, email industry.secondments@defence.gov.au.