An impressive cohort of 36 South Australian university students have taken the next step in their defence industry careers, graduating from the highly regarded Defence Industry Scholarship Program.

The South Australian Government-funded scholarship program, administered by AiGroup, provides eligible university students with grants of up to $10,000 to undertake work placements at a local defence company.

The graduation ceremony held at Edinburgh-based manufacturer, AML3D, recognised students who have completed their defence industry placement across a range of roles, gaining in-demand skills, knowledge and experience through work-based learning opportunities.

Having supported students as a participating host company, AML3D Chief Executive Ryan Miller, said the program has enabled the company to connect with future talent.

“The Defence Industry Scholarship program has been hugely beneficial to connecting AML3D with talented graduates,” Mr Miller said.

“The program has enabled students to work and develop new skills using advanced manufacturing technology and allows AML3D to draw from and build a highly skilled and robust future workforce.”

Since it began, 64 students have completed their placements across 17 companies as part of the Defence Industry Scholarship Program. The program also boasts close to an 80 per cent success rate in students going on to be offered work with their host employer.

In recognising the achievements of the graduating cohort, Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close praised the program’s successful track record.

“South Australia is home to a pipeline of major Defence projects, with thousands of jobs available for decades to come across naval shipbuilding and other high-tech areas such as information warfare and space,” she said.

“Ensuring we have the workforce in place to complete these projects and future opportunities is our number one priority. The Defence Industry Scholarship Program supports the development of a defence-ready workforce by connecting high calibre students with industry.”

Expressions of interest are now open for the 2024 program for both students and host companies.

Learn more and apply for the Defence Industry Scholarship Program