new defence schools planned

The Age, Brendan Nicholson and Farrah Tomazin, 25 October 2007; The Australian, Patricia
Karvelas, 25 October 2007

 

In a bid to combat the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) skills recruitment shortage, Prime Minister John Howard has announced that, if elected, he will build two defence-related technical colleges for senior secondary school students.

The $208 million, four-year programme will see Year 11 and 12 students given the opportunity to learn in a streamlined, defence-orientated environment. The two colleges, one in Adelaide and one in southeast Queensland, will educate up to 400 students. Graduates from the programme will be given preferential treatment if they decide to apply for a defence gap year or a position in the ADF.

Mr Howard believes that the defence sector will require up to 7000 specialists in engineering, aviation electronics and information technology over the next five years. He also believes that the Skills for Australia’s Future Defence Plan will encourage young Australians to prepare for a ‘defence-related career’ from as early as Year 11.

‘This is a dedicated high school emphasising defence-related skills, and it will give not only status but an additional emphasis on the skills that you require for defence industries,’ Mr Howard said.

The plan will also offer 2200 graduates three-year scholarships to undertake cadetships, traineeships and work experience with the ADF and other defence-related industries.

Graduates from the new defence-force colleges will not be obligated to enlist with the ADF after the completion of their course. The colleges will also offer 200 higher education and 500 vocational education positions, and will be ‘tailored to the needs of students who want a career in the defence sector.’

 

 

 

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