DEFENCE INDUSTRY WORKFORCE ACTION PLAN

Mr KENYON (Newland) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. Can he advise the house regarding the launch of the Defence Industry Workforce Action Plan?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:25): Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of launching the Defence Industry Workforce Action Plan. This action plan is one of six industry plans that have been developed in partnership between industry and government. The plans cover construction, agrifood industries, health and community services, advanced manufacturing and the defence sector.

These plans have been developed in order to respond to industry workforce needs now and into the future. We are engaged in a process with the Training and Skills Commission to map out our skills requirements for the next five years, and these are an integral part of that particular planning.

The Defence Industry Workforce Action Plan clearly shows that this is an industry that has undergone the hard work that is entailed in detailed workforce planning. How many workers will be required? What additional skills and training will they need? How attractive is the industry, particularly as a career option for women? Given the fact that this is a high intellect industry sector, I think that is a very important consideration. How can a more flexible and diverse workforce ensure the retention of existing and new employees?

This plan is an excellent example of a collaborative approach between industry, government and the higher education sector. Out of this particular body of work four strategies have emerged. The first is to develop and sustain industry leadership and engagement in workforce training and skills development. Without that leadership all will come to nought.

The second strategy is to attract and recruit a highly skilled workforce by promoting the defence industry as an employer of choice. The third strategy is to build an adaptable and diverse workforce by establishing a leadership program that builds financial and business skills and is an exemplar for women in the defence industry.

The fourth strategy is to develop education pathways between school VET and higher education by facilitating partnership with schools to help young people's real life application of science and mathematical skills. I am very obliged to the large financial commitment the commonwealth government has made to the establishment of these pathways between the defence sector and maths and science in school.

Clearly, the defence industry is a key driver of the state's future prosperity. It currently supports about 24,000 jobs and contributes more than $1 billion to the economy each year. These numbers have the potential to grow significantly as we take advantage of increased investment opportunities within the industry.

The South Australian Strategic Plan target of increasing the defence industry workforce to 28,000 by 2014 and doubling its economic contribution to $2 billion annually is well on the way to fruition. I am of the view that this particular document, the Defence Industry Workforce Action Plan, is actually going to get us to those targets well on schedule.