COMMENTARY
By Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC, Minister for Education and Training, Government of Western Australia
TRAINING & SIMULATION
GROWING A SMART AND TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY DEFENCE INDUSTRY WORKFORCE The impact of COVID-19, record low unemployment and a strong economy have seen demand for skilled workers hit an all-time high. The McGowan government remains committed to growing Western Australia’s defence industry workforce, recognising its vital importance for economic diversification and job creation. Key to this is our work with the defence industry and tertiary education providers to create a pipeline of skilled workers for the sector.
INCENTIVISING GROWTH As part of our commitment we invested $18.34m to continue building WA’s defence ‘blue collar’ manufacturing workforce and launched a campaign to attract workers to careers in WA’s defence industry. The state is also positioning itself to grow its professional and technical workforce and develop its capability and STEM skills to address the high-tech requirements of the industry. The package will enhance WA’s capacity to secure future Defence work and includes $8.5m towards $20,000 incentives for defence manufacturing industry employers to train apprentices in key trades, $2.85m to create an additional 335 apprenticeships in nominated trades, and scholarships for women and Defence veterans. The sophistication of our nation’s Defence assets and systems means that the defence industry workforce which builds and sustains them must have the technological skills and innovative approaches to keep Australia’s Defence capabilities at the leading edge - particularly in a global environment that is uncertain, complex and competitive.
SMART WORKFORCE HUB Successful local WA companies like R. Moore & Sons are set to benefit from training and skilling programs that will attract the workers the defence industry needs. © WA DEFENCE REVIEW.
The rapid push to remote, automated and digital solutions during the pandemic has also highlighted an opportunity for all EDITION 4 • 2021-22
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