DISC Participants during an on base excursion to Royal Australian Air Force base Williamtown in 2005.

Defence Materiel Organisation is currently seeking nominations for the 2006 Defence and Industry Study Course (DISC) from senior managers of companies engaged in, or preparing for future business with the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO).

The DISC is designed to enhance mutual understanding between Defence and the business community. Participants from ADO, industry and Government will participate in a series of seminars and visit each others work environments to see first-hand how Defence and defence industry operate in Australia.

Participants will commit to three six day modules spread out over approximately ten months.

The first module, ‘National Policy and Strategy’, will be held in Canberra in June, coinciding with the Defence + Industry Conference 2006. Course participants will attend most elements of the conference including an exclusive function with senior Defence and Government executives. Module one also includes workshops on current and future policy and strategy relating to the Defence of the nation and visits to local industry facilities for discussions on strategic planning and interaction with Defence.

Module two focuses on the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) and will begin in September or October. Participants will visit the ADF and some industry facilities, be briefed on the structure, roles and challenges facing various elements of the ADF and will have the opportunity to interact with ADF members while they are at work using and maintaining various platforms.

The last module of the course covers Industrial Support for Defence. Participants will visit industry and some Defence facilities in South Australia and Victoria in February or March 2007. Sites include a variety of primes and small to medium enterprises and discussions on these excursions will focus on these companies’ relationships with Defence and each other.

Fees include travel to and from the course, all accommodation, catering and travel during DISC activities, attendance at the Defence + Industry Conference in June 2006 and a one year membership with the Defence and Industry Course Association

Learning outcomes include:

• Knowledge of the strategic priorities of government and senior Defence executives
• An understanding of how Defence interacts with and is accountable to Government
• Awareness of the processes Defence uses to identify its capability needs, gaps and options
• An understanding of how Defence acquires and sustains equipment systems and facilities, including processes for Government approval of Defence proposals, soliciting responses from industry, and acquisition and through life support of weapons systems
• Awareness of how various parts of Defence operate, including familiarity with selected elements of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Capability Development Group, Defence Materiel Organisation and Joint Logistics Command
• Understanding a range of specific issues in capability acquisition, support, logistics and industry policy, including procurement reform and risk management in complex projects
• An awareness of the perspectives of end users of equipment and systems supplied by industry
• Knowledge of industry best practices in delivering ADF capability and
• An understanding of the factors likely to affect industry’s capability to support the ADF in future

Selected participants will include senior industry employees, senior Australian Defence Organisation personnel including service members, Australian Public Servants and contractors.

Industry participant, from Aerotech Australian Pty Ltd, Adrian Leach said DISC provides unparalleled opportunities to build friendships with the next generation of Defence and Industry leaders. While demystifying the inner workings of what many see as a closed shop.

‘DISC should be mandatory for every small to medium entrepreneur who is serious about their Defence business. The Defence procurement environment is evolving, DISC provides the knowledge and contacts for Industry to move and succeed with this change,’ he said.

DMO Manager Industry Relations, Cate Caldwell said the program aims to enhance mutual understanding between Defence and the business community to provide higher quality outcomes for both.

‘Careful consideration of attendees by the DISC Advisory Committee ensures a diverse group representative of all areas of Defence and industry are selected making the course a great opportunity for participants to network and learn from one another,’ Mrs Caldwell said.

‘Fees include a one year membership to the Defence and Industry Courses Association (DAICA). This resource enables graduates to maintain contact with colleagues from their course and establish links with past and future groups.

‘This is a great resource to have access to since DISC graduates are members of a select group of business men and women, members of the ADF, and Government officials, who truly understand the complex relationship between Defence and industry,’ Mrs Caldwell said.

Nominations close on 30 March 2006. Your nomination must be supported by your employer, appropriate nominating officers of sponsors include the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Proprietor, Group Manager or other senior executive at your company.

For further information please contact Program Manager DISC, Doug Clark on (02) 6266 7652 or email Douglas.clark@defence.gov.au

Click on the following link DISC to obtain a nomination form.