Schools pathways program in South Australia and Western Australia

The Albanese Government has entered into a $5.1 million Federation Funding Agreement with the state governments of South Australia and Western Australia for the delivery of the Schools Pathways Program (SPP) – delivering on a commitment under the Australian Government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The SPP will help to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in schools across South Australia and Western Australia and pathways for students to pursue a future career in Australia’s defence industry sector.

Students will gain defence industry experience through activities such as project-based learning, industry visits, presentations and challenges. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with mentors and networks of highly skilled defence industry professionals.

Professional development opportunities and practical information will also be provided to teachers and carers to support their discussions with students about career pathways within Australian defence industry.

The Australian Government is committed to building home-grown capabilities, and supporting the development of highly-trained, highly-skilled workers to meet the needs of our defence industry partners now, and into the future. South Australia and Western Australia will have central roles in delivering major Defence projects over the coming decades. The SPP is also a key initiative of the joint Commonwealth-South Australia Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report, launched on 10 November 2023.

Commonwealth funding for the SPP has been scheduled under the Federation Funding Agreement – Education and Skills for financial years 2023-24 to 2025-26.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

“We need more young Australians studying STEM subjects in schools and developing skills for our future workforce.

“This program will ensure more Australians have the opportunity to follow their passions in STEM and develop the technical skills we need in national security and defence.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy:

“The Schools Pathways Program provides practical career awareness activities for secondary school students and creates links between schools and defence industry.

“Our critical national defence projects, including conventionally-armed, nuclear‑powered submarines, are delivered by a highly educated, highly trained workforce with cutting edge skills and capabilities.

“The SPP is an instrumental mechanism in Defence’s strategic approach to ensuring a highly skilled workforce pipeline to support future defence industry needs.

“The Albanese Government is working to increase the uptake and completion of STEM studies in schools, to ensure we are building the skilled workforce now that can tackle the issues of tomorrow.”

Quotes attributable to the South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer:

“We have a big job ahead of us to significantly increase our skilled workforce to meet the demands of our emerging defence industry and other areas of growth in our state.

“The Schools Pathway program will support our young people by providing an understanding of the defence industry and the various careers available to them as part of the sector.

“We want students and apprentices to know they can start their journey to a career in defence industry while still at school, getting qualifications that will get them a job when they finish their SACE.”

Quotes attributable to the Western Australia Minister for Education Dr. Tony Buti:

“Western Australia's defence industry is a priority sector for the State, which contributes an estimated $3 billion each year to our economy and already directly employs around 3,000 people.

“The School Pathways Program is an exciting initiative that will open new opportunities for WA students, inspiring them to pursue careers in the defence industry, and develop critical and transferrable knowledge and skills.

“With a strong foundation in STEM education, we are preparing our students for jobs of the future and ensuring that our State continues to be a leader in innovation and technology, aided by hands-on learning experiences and mentoring.”