The State Government has launched a new website to encourage Western Australians to explore and navigate employment and career pathways in our State's growing defence industry workforce.
There's never been a better time to start a career in the defence industry with WA securing multiple projects through the AUKUS Optimal Pathway and the Naval Surface Combatant Fleet Review.
The Other Force website has been designed with industry stakeholders and gives users an insight into what it's like to work in the industry and learn more about people's experiences.
A key feature of the website, Occupation Spotlight, profiles 21 in-demand jobs and the vocational and tertiary pathways available to help get those interested job-ready.
The website provides prospective workers with an overview of the support programs and financial incentives on offer to help them 'start something' in the defence industry.
It also provides information to employers on a range of WA Government programs and incentives to help them grow their workforce.
For those interested in defence careers that require a university qualification, the VET Steps to Uni resource can assess their eligibility to use academic credit towards a degree.
For more information, visit: theotherforce.wa.gov.au or contact the Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre on 9599 8655 for free training and employment support.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development Hannah Beazley said, "The Other Force is a fantastic new website, which provides a central point to learn directly from those working in our defence industry about the exciting and rewarding careers available. To ensure Western Australia has a pipeline of skilled workers, the Cook Government is delivering its commitment to boost the defence industry workforce, investing $35 million in training and workforce initiatives since 2019. There's an opportunity for everyone in the defence industry, whether you're a school-leaver or a mature aged worker looking for a career change, I would encourage anyone curious to visit theotherforce.wa.gov.au to learn more."
Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia added, "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. WA is the home of naval shipbuilding and submarine sustainment so it is vital we invest in skilling Western Australians in defence jobs. The defence industry has diverse career opportunities, with well-paid jobs across the five capability domains of information and cyber, maritime, air, space and land all contributing to Australia's national endeavour of significantly uplifting sovereign capability in defence. WA's defence industry is continuing to rapidly expand, with a variety of projects planned or underway, such as those resulting from the AUKUS Optimal Pathway, which will see submarines maintained at HMAS Stirling as part of Submarine Rotational Force-West from as early as 2027."
