ATEC Welcomes Defence Industry Workforce Investment

ATEC, the State's largest non-government provider of construction, engineering and electrical apprentices training has welcomed the government’s release of the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan. The Skills Report contains detailed strategy to grow and sustain South Australia’s defence industry workforce for the future.

The Plan was released 10 November at Osborne, South Australia by Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas promising significant development in the progress of AUKUS submarines. With ATEC’s unique capacity to propel the defence industry forward in the critical apprenticeship areas of electrical, mechanical and fabrication, ATEC applauded the action plan news as it will position SA as a globally competitive defence workforce. The Plan is a national initiative with South Australia having a central role.

The Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report details 22 initiatives to further address workforce challenges and grow the South Australian defence industry workforce from 3,500 direct jobs to more than 8,500 in the 2040s.

These tangible and solutions-focussed initiatives will:

• Engage an estimated 27,000 students and 1,500 teachers in at least 180 South Australian schools to support STEM education pathways for students.
• Establish an industry capability pipeline of around 2,600 additional VET and university students through flexible training programs, technical colleges and STEM focused higher-education places.
• Employ more apprentices, graduates and undergraduates through the Early Careers Program with more than 70 young Australians to join the program this year.
• Engage and upskill experienced workers and industry leaders through mid-career transition programs, the Skills and Training Academy and Defence Industry Leadership Program
• Improve workforce data and insights across industry and government
• Promote defence industry workforce opportunities, and better connect jobs with potential candidates through a multi-tiered communications strategy.
• Strengthen STEM evaluations through a consistent methodology and support industry to sponsor security clearances to engage highly skilled workers from our AUKUS partners.
• Growing the defence industry workforce in South Australia requires a coordinated and collaborative approach.

ATEC’s CEO, Greg Bassani said he was looking forward to working with Government and industry to expand South Australia’s growing defence industry skilled workforce.

“ATEC has experienced unprecedented growth in all apprenticeship areas and further growth will benefit the SA defence industry,” explained Mr Bassani.

“ATEC’s Group Training Organisation (GTO) is also experiencing rapid growth. Our group training division provides a simple and flexible arrangement, with services that allow employers to take on apprentices without ongoing employment obligations, and the Skills Report and Action Plan will help our GTO to continue to assist industry,” added Mr Bassani.

Employing over 80 staff and providing high-quality Training and Group Training services in both metropolitan and regional communities throughout South Australia, ATEC is one of South Australia’s quiet success stories.

All ATEC staff are passionate about the provision of the highest level of training and associated services to ensure that students leave with the maximum potential to be the best that they can be, by utilising skills and knowledge they have obtained through their time with us.

ATEC trainers are all highly skilled in their field of delivery, are industry experienced and are strongly focused on “Changing People’s Lives” as each student begins their journey of skills development.

Proudly South Australian, ATEC has more than 30 years of experience in “Changing People’s Lives” and looks forward to another 30 years, particularly in light of the funding announcement.

Government Media Release:

More than $2 billion to support skills: 150,000 training places for South Australia | Premier of South Australia

Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan

https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/SA-Defence-Industry-Workforce-and-Skills-Action-Plan.pdf