A new program for high school students has recently kicked off to fast-track participants into a defence industry career.
Forge Your Future, a government-supported program, is now available to students across the country, offering a direct pathway into STEM careers within South Australia’s defence sector.
Enabled by the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Schools Pathway Program, Forge Your Future plays a crucial role in supporting the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan. The action plan is a coordinated effort between the Commonwealth and South Australian governments, industry leaders, unions, and education providers to provide the workforce needed for major Defence projects in the state, including the SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan outlines a number of strategies to grow the workforce from around 5,500 jobs to over 11,000 by the 2040s, including 8,500 direct jobs, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
Bringing defence industry STEM careers to schools
Developed through a partnership with Australian tech organisations WithYouWithMe (WYWM) and Year13, Forge Your Future equips students with essential education, training, industry connections, and experiences. The program is designed to fast-track young Australians into high-demand roles, such as shipbuilding and nuclear-powered submarine development, within leading defence companies including Babcock and BAE Systems.
Over the next year, approximately 2,500 South Australian high school students will participate in the program, while more than 1,300 schools across Australia will gain access through Year13’s Career Tools platform. This initiative will introduce students to various STEM disciplines, including engineering, digital technologies, ICT, trades, and program management.
Recent research by Year13 highlights the growing interest among young Australians in the defence sector with 27% of young Australians interested in STEM or trades careers in South Australia’s defence industry, with 16% stating they would consider relocating to the state to secure this work.
However, despite this high enthusiasm, 29% reported that a lack of awareness about career paths in the STEM defence sector remains a major barrier, making programs such as Forge Your Future vital to bridging the knowledge gap and addressing misconceptions about the industry. A key myth that the program hopes to bust is the fact that the defence industry is not the Australian Defence Force, but rather a civilian role working for a private company.
Tom Larter, CEO of WYWM said, “The defence industry is rich with career opportunities, but pathways into the sector are confusing for young people to navigate. Forge Your Future removes the guesswork by connecting students with the right training and employers so they can land work in a fast-growing and meaningful sector.”
With the launch of Forge Your Future, Australian high school students now have unprecedented access to high-growth, high-impact careers, ensuring they leave school with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the nation’s most important defence projects.
Published 21 May 2025
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