Information for guardians and educators
No matter what age your children or students are, or where their unique skills lie, a lifelong career in South Australia’s defence industry awaits.
Now is the time to talk about the career pathways available. There are a number of resources which can assist you in these discussions to provide your children or students with the best understanding of what an exciting career in defence industry could look like.
The Naval Shipbuilding College has partnered up with Work-Ready to develop a comprehensive program dedicated to preparing young adults for the workforce. The Work-Ready platform offers a wide range of resources to assist teachers in preparing their career education lessons in a fraction of the time. Based on multi-media education methods, the program includes a digital educator’s manual, presentation slides, student activities and workshops.
The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) in South Australia) is an initiative funded from the Commonwealth by the Department of Defence and managed by the Department for Education. The ATP has a purpose to help reduce skill shortages in the defence industry by increasing the pool of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educated students and informing Australia’s youth about employment opportunities and pathways into the defence industry through the development and delivery of a range of activities and programs.
Adelaide is home to the Australian Institute of Machine Learning (AIML) bringing together researchers and industry to provide big data capability, which has the potential to make the nation safer and more secure. Schools can enquire about engaging with the institute.
The Maritime High School of South Australia program is hosted at Le Fevre High School. The program offers a range of study pathways highlighting the many employment opportunities in various components of Maritime Industries, including a Certificate 2 in Maritime Operations and certificates in engineering leading to apprenticeships.
The Heights School offers students the opportunity to participate in the Defence Industry School Program, which links the skills required by defence industry and encourages a greater number of students into STEM subjects. The program includes a range of learning activities such as industry visits and participation in national STEM programs.
St Patrick’s Technical College is a purpose built, multi-million dollar, specialist trade training school. The College offers a trade focused South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) curriculum and award winning pre apprenticeship training for Year 11 and 12 students. The St Patrick’s Technical College Metals and Engineering Program prepares students for a career in the manufacturing, engineering, advanced manufacturing, mining, resources and defence industries.
The State Government has partnered with Catholic Education South Australia to expand the Rosewater Trade Training Centre, creating a skills hub right on the doorstep of South Australia’s maritime and Defence industries on the Le Fevre Peninsula. The Rosewater Trade Training Centre (RTTC) will provide secondary school students in Years 10 – 12 with the opportunity to enhance their future career options with a qualification leading to a trade while completing their SACE. Achieving a nationally recognised training whilst at school puts students at the forefront of opportunity for obtaining an apprenticeship, traineeship and employed work.
The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation has developed revolutionary hands-on applied learning programs forming a pathway of encouragement and equipping for students. These include F1 In Schools, Subs in Schools, Space In Schools and a range of other programs for primary and secondary students. Their programs link schools, industry, TAFE, universities and parents in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment focused on attracting students to take up STEM based subjects at school and careers after leaving school.
The TAFE SA defence and shipbuilding careers page offers a wealth of information about what job opportunities can arise from their comprehensive list of relevant courses.
UniSA offers a full range of Bachelor, Master and PhD degree programs that help students get ready for work in the defence industry, from aviation to engineering and project management.
Adelaide University offers a range of degree programs that will put you on the fast-track to launch a career in defence, cyber security or Australia’s thriving space sector. The University of Adelaide’s new Bachelor of Technology in Defence Industry is a great way to gain a broad understanding of the foundations of technology, including computing, information, mathematics.
Partnering with the defence industry to deliver world-class research and education, Flinders offers a huge range of defence and national security courses for students.
Flinders is the first Australian University to be endorsed by the Naval Shipbuilding College, with Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic, Robotics, Software, Maritime or Bachelor of Information Technology (Networks & Cybersecurity Systems).
Flinders offers students the opportunity to apply for international internships and work with major defence companies such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing Defence, Naval Group, Thales, Defence Science and Technology Group and ASC.
Hamilton Secondary College Space School is the only school in South Australia with a designated facility and specialist curriculum to lead space education. Their Space Centre and Mission to Mars program provides students with an exciting, unique and hands-on educational experience.