• New report highlights success of Cook Labor Government's $35 million investment in growing WA's defence industry and building a skilled workforce
• More than 1,000 Western Australians have benefited from opportunities to join the defence industry workforce
• WA's defence industry to support 10,000 highly-skilled jobs over next two decades
• Delivering a Skilled Workforce for Western Australia's Defence Industry report released today

More than 1,000 Western Australians have so far benefited from training opportunities and financial assistance to 'start something' and embark on a rewarding career in WA's defence industry, according to a new State Government report released today.

The Delivering a Skilled Workforce for Western Australia's Defence Industry report highlights the many positive outcomes to date of the Cook Labor Government's targeted $35 million investment to grow the defence industry and bolster WA's trade, para-professional and professional workforce for the defence industry.

Since 2017 the Labor Government has championed WA's defence sector and positioned the State as the national leader in naval shipbuilding and submarine sustainment, and secured significant Commonwealth defence projects. 

Projects including the consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson, Submarine Rotational Force-West, and shipbuilding for the Australian Navy's future Surface Combatant Fleet and the Army's landing craft are set to create more than 10,000 highly-skilled, well-paid jobs in the State's defence industry over the next two decades.

To ensure WA has a growing pipeline of skilled workers to deliver these projects, the Cook Labor Government has implemented a range of initiatives from the Western Australian Defence Industry Workforce Development Plan 2022-27.

Launched in October 2020, the Defence Industry Incentive has financially supported 68 defence industry employers to train 435 new apprentices in engineering trades, boosting WA's shipbuilding capacity and capability.

The Defence Industry Veterans Employment Scheme (DIVES) has supported 82 Australian Defence Force veterans to transition to a career in the defence industry, with $5,000 scholarships helping them to cover the costs related to vocational training and university studies.

The Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre has a dedicated Defence Industry Team available to provide students, job seekers, and career changers with one-on-one advice about defence industry training and career pathways. A specialist veterans transition consultant is also on hand to help veterans enhance their employability and prepare for roles in the defence industry.  

Contact the Defence Industry Team on 9599 8655 or visit them at South Metropolitan TAFE's Rockingham campus for more information.

To read the Delivering a Skilled Workforce for Western Australia's Defence Industry report and learn more about the State's defence industry visit www.theotherforce.wa.gov.au/delivering-skilled-workforce(link is external)

Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley:

"Since 2020, our Labor Government has invested $35 million in initiatives to grow our defence industry and skill, upskill and reskill Western Australians for careers in the industry - 'The Other Force'.

"Our investment is already paying off with more than 1,000 Western Australians taking advantage of training opportunities and financial assistance to help them 'start something' in the State's rapidly growing defence industry.

"This new report highlights the Cook Labor Government's efforts to date to grow a multi-faceted, highly-skilled defence industry workforce capable of delivering shipbuilding, sustainment and maintenance activities and nuclear-powered submarine sustainment and maintenance work.

"With the industry expected to support 10,000 jobs over the next two decades, the Cook Labor Government remains committed to delivering a range of training initiatives to bolster WA's defence industry workforce.

"There's never been a better time to train or upskill for a career in the defence industry, with fee-free training, financial incentives and scholarships on offer to help Western Australians to start a life-long career in the defence industry."

Comments attributed to Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia:

"The State Government is committed to growing the defence industry and positioning WA as a leading provider for the nation's defence requirements.

"Our Government has already attracted significant Commonwealth defence projects, which will invest tens of billions of dollars into WA's economy and create thousands of local jobs over the next two decades.

"The Delivering a Skilled Workforce for Western Australia's Defence Industry report demonstrates the significant gains the State Government has already made to build the skilled workforce the industry needs now and into the future. 

"Ongoing investment and delivery in key training and workforce initiatives will be crucial to ensuring WA's defence industry workforce is ready to meet the new skill demands of the projects on the horizon."