The Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP) is a 12-month paid traineeship that awards graduates with a 52904WA Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways. This program provides hands-on training and experience across various sectors of the defence industry, including manufacturing and engineering, computing, logistics, procurement, technical drawing and computer-aided design (CAD).

The DIPP program in South Australia (SA) is an expansion of the successful program of the same name established in Western Australia in 2021. The DIPP SA will be focused on the nuclear powered submarine (NPS) and naval shipbuilding and sustainment (NSS) enterprises. The program enables a broad understanding of the various career pathways available in NPS program and NSS, whilst also providing vocational training across a number of critical skills areas required by Defence industry.

Throughout the Program, trainees attend block training at TAFE SA campuses and gain valuable real-world experience with work placements within our defence industry partners scheduled throughout the program, preparing them for diverse and rewarding career pathways within the sector.

Recruitment, employment, placement with industry partners, mentoring and pastoral care for the trainees will be facilitated through PEER, as the Group Training Organisation (GTO). The model supports the trainees by providing flexibility to move between host employers for greater exposure to the sector and employment options without disruption to their studies

Delivery of the Defence Industry Pathways Program in SA is co-designed with the South Australian Government. TAFE SA will support program participants with foundation knowledge training, while PEER will employ trainees and facilitate relevant work placements with host employers in the naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise. The DIPP aims to create a valuable pathway into rewarding careers within defence industry and naval shipbuilding and sustainment.

The Defence Industry Pathways Program has rapidly established a reputation for excellence. In WA over the past three years, more than 100 trainees have graduated, with many now securing fulfilling full-time roles in the defence industry. Graduates of the program have gone on to secure a variety of positions, ranging from technical trades to business support roles. These roles include apprentice fabricators, electronics technicians, project administrators and health and safety advisors, reflecting the diverse career pathways available within the defence industry.