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The Australian 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. 

Minister for Education, Jason Clare commented:
“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.”

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. 

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy said:
“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.”

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.