Industry skills support

Defence supports a number of initiatives designed to:

  • increase student knowledge of the defence industry sector
  • inform young Australians about the varied pathways and career opportunities within defence industry
  • encourage student engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
  • expand the pool of skilled workers from which defence industry is able to recruit
  • help support specific defence industry skills.

Defence Industry Internship Program

The Defence Industry Internship Program links 3rd and 4th year engineering and technology students with defence industry small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and sponsors the student’s industry placement.

The program targets relevant engineering and technology streams considered to be in short or critical supply. It also aims to give students a better understanding of the critical work performed by defence industry.

For further information on the next round of registrations for students and host SMEs visit the Defence Industry Internship Program website.

Schools Pathways Program

The Schools Pathways Program (SPP) informs young Australians about the varied pathways and career opportunities within the defence industry and encourages engagement in STEM.

The program:

  • encourages student participation in STEM activities and/or subjects relevant to defence industry careers
  • facilitates an understanding of defence industry
  • provides access to defence industry career experiences
  • provides access to mentoring and networking opportunities.

The program is implemented in 2 ways:

  • An intergovernmental agreement with the Western Australian Department of Education and the South Australian Department for Education with funding valued at over $5 million for the financial years 2023–24 and 2025–26. Details on the agreement can be located on the Federal Financial Relations website.
  • An open competitive grant opportunity administered by the Department of Industry Sciences and Resources – Business Grants Hub. Currently 10 grants have been awarded to the total value of $11,013,00 over 2 financial years (2024–25 to 2025–26). Further information on each of the awarded grantees is available on the GrantConnect website.

Defence Industry Pathways Program

The Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP) is a 12-month traineeship in which participants gain an understanding of defence industry and obtain a nationally recognised Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways.

DIPP provides the skills and hands-on experience for graduates to successfully enter the defence industry workforce through formal training and placements with defence industry employers.

It also provides school leavers and individuals looking for a career in the maritime defence industry a unique opportunity to experience industry culture and employment options while building the nation’s future shipbuilding and sustainment industry.

DIPP started as a pilot initiative in WA in 2021 and was developed in partnership with WA’s South Metropolitan TAFE and the local maritime defence industry. In early 2025, DIPP was expanded into South Australia with support from PEER Education Employment & Training Ltd in partnership with TAFE SA.

To find out more visit:

Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Initiative

The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways (SEP) Initiative recruits apprentices in critical trades within the nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment industries. 

The 4-year program will offer apprentices training delivered by TAFE SA and placements with host employers in the nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprises, including supply chains, across the following:

  • engineering – fabrication
  • engineering – mechanical
  • electrotechnology – electrician.

Apprentices will graduate with a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen trade. They will also have unique experiences and non-accredited training offered only to nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment pathway program participants.

The registered training organisation, PEER, will:

  • employ and manage apprentices
  • facilitate host placements
  • facilitate non-accredited training.

To find out more, visit the Shipbuilding Employment Pathways Program Initiative page.

Contacts

defence.industryskilling@defence.gov.au