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Marine Technician Ben Seehars ( L ) studies for his Marine Systems Manager Certificate under the guidance of Leading Seaman Marine Technician Anthony Campbell in 2020 Picture : HMAS Newcastle , supplied
Funding boost
RTO network gets $ 300m to support ADF technical trades skills
By Erin Nixon
Thousands of Australian Defence Force ( ADF ) personnel will have greater access to technical trades training through a five-year $ 300m contract to support and expand the development of technical skills nationwide .
Wodonga TAFE led the successful bid for the Joint Technical Trades and Training Services contract .
It will partner with registered training organisations ( RTOs ) to create a National Technical Education Network ( NTEN ). The NTEN will deliver over 100 accredited and non-accredited courses in construction , engineering , mechanical , electrical and electronics trades in campuses across Australia .
The program is expected to add up to 250 dedicated personnel in support of the NTEN partnership .
An estimated 2,000 students will benefit from the new training courses each year , allowing prospective , current and former serving ADF members to upskill , reskill and cross-skill closer to home .
The Network of RTOs will build upon existing partnerships to deliver more flexible access to technical trades training to attract , train , retain , and re-train ADF personnel across Australia .
Members of the NTEN will include Wodonga TAFE , South Metropolitan TAFE ( SM TAFE ), Chisolm Institute , TAFE QLD , University of New England ( UNE ), National
Electrical Communications Association ( NCEA ), Kangan Institute , Charles Darwin University ( CDU ), Kinetic IT and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology ( RMIT ).
Each RTO in the NTEN will provide technical trade skills unique to Australia ’ s defence requirements .
Wodonga TAFE will lead the program ’ s delivery , building on existing contracts with the ADF to deliver technical trade , heavy vehicle , plant machinery and medic training .
SM TAFE has over 20 years of experience in Western Australia educating ADF personnel as the only training provider in WA to be recognised by the Naval Shipbuilding College .
Chisolm Institute in Dandenong delivers technical trade training to Navy personnel based at HMAS Cerberus in Hastings and is expected to recruit 70 educators and 14 support roles for the program .
TAFE Queensland specialises in training military personnel to transition to civilian life . Queensland is going through extensive refurbishments of defence facilities infrastructure , and TAFE QLD is well positioned to increase the employability of ADF personnel in regional areas .
University of New England provides a fast-tracked two-year bachelor ’ s degree by crediting ADF professional experience towards up to 66 per cent of the qualification requirements .
The NCEA has offices in every state and the ACT and offers training in electrotechnology IRC skills and apprenticeships for on-the-job skills training .
Victoria ’ s Kangan Institute provides an alternative avenue into the ADF for
The NTEN will deliver over 100 accredited and non-accredited courses in construction , engineering , mechanical , electrical and electronics trades
Australians who haven ’ t completed the pre-requisite studies ( year 10 equivalent ). The program is delivered on-campus or online for a flexible , self-paced learning experience .
Charles Darwin University partners with the ADF on research projects and Defence Export Controls ( DEC ), which regulates the export and supply of military and dual-use goods and technologies .
Kinetic IT provides ICT support navigating complex IT environments and improving outcomes for the ADF . Kinetic IT partners with organisations like Soldier On and Defence Families Australia to provide career opportunities .
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology ( RMIT ) supports growth of Australia ’ s defence and aerospace industry through the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre .
SM TAFE chief Terry Durant welcomed the partnership , saying the program would support ADF personnel to further develop their technical trade skills “ in locations where they work and live .”
The Joint Technical Trades and Training Services contract will commence in November and continue until 2028 . ■
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