Australian apprentices and trade workers will receive a boost following the signing of two separate agreements under the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) Program. 

These Agreements will provide a range of new training opportunities for tradespersons in Australia’s Defence industry. 

Engineering firm, Broens Industries, will engage 52 new apprentices over the next three years, to support the small-to-medium enterprise’s expansion into the Defence sector and participation in the Joint Strike Fighter program.

In addition, Qantas Defence Services (QDS) will offer additional qualifications training for up to 40 of their qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.  The new training program will increase the skills of the team providing repair and overhaul support to the Royal Australian Air Force fleet.

The agreements represent a commitment on the part of the Defence Materiel Organisation to spend up to $3.2 million between 2008 and 2011 on apprentice and trade related training, in partnership with the two participating companies.

Under the SADI scheme, the Australian Government provides financial support for the direct costs of training. To date, the Australian Government has committed over $30 million from program funds, in order to address the unique character of many Defence-relevant skills and the rising demand associated with the ongoing modernisation and expansion of the Australian Defence Force’s capability.

“The SADI initiative is a valuable partnership between industry and Government and responds in a meaningful way to the demand for skills in the Defence sector,” said the Hon. Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement.