Minister for Defence - Skilling program grants provide boost for Australian defence industry companies

Minister for Defence David Johnston today announced Defence had awarded more than $10.5 million in grants to more than 120 companies under the most recent round of the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program.

Senator Johnston said the funding would provide more than 1000 individual training opportunities to support Australia’s defence industry in improving the quality and quantity of skills within its workforce. 

“The Government’s responsibility for national security extends to providing targeted funding for measures to ensure a highly skilled defence industry that is responsive to the requirements of our Australian Defence Force,” Senator Johnston said.

“Providing Australian defence industry with this funding to undertake skilling activities is one way to create a stronger and smarter workforce.

“From the well-known major defence prime contractors to many small to medium enterprises, the companies that have been successful in this round will be funded to supervise apprentices and train existing employees.”

SADI grants fund a wide range of activities including short-courses, up-skilling in the use of specialist equipment, postgraduate and undergraduate courses, and certificate or diploma level training.

In this, its ninth year, the SADI program continues to attract a broad range of applications for training activities covering project management, engineering, logistics and technical trades.

“Up-skilling these employees now will ensure that our defence industry is well positioned to deliver and support the capabilities required by the Australian Defence Force now and into the future,” Senator Johnston said.

Additional information on the SADI program can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/ID/SADI/ 

Media contacts:

Rebecca Horton (Minister Johnston’s Office):   0427 449 120

Defence Media Operations: (02) 6127 1999