The Federal Government has released the public version of its Defence Strategic Review.
The review outlines defence planning, integration, resourcing, policy and strategy over the coming decades against a changing geo-political backdrop.
Engineers Australia looks at ramifications for the profession.
Initiatives to improve the growth and retention of a highly skilled defence workforce
A key element of the review flags the need for a highly skilled defence workforce to implement recommendations, new capabilities and ensure the nation is future ready.
Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO says engineers are vital to achieving this.
“To ensure Australia’s defence force is resilient, we must overcome the engineering skills supply and demand challenges facing Australia which continues to impact defence and the private sector.
“In our defence submission we identified workforce as a priority area for immediate action. We need to see broad reforms to strengthen and prepare the ADF for the challenges ahead.
“As systems become more sophisticated and interdependent, the ADF will become more reliant on the engineering profession.”
Next steps on skills
Australia must respond to the skills challenges it is facing by not only meeting the current projected workforce requirements, but also strengthening its supply chains. This is achievable by ensuring a healthy pool of experienced and qualified engineers are available to develop our sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
To improve the growth and retention of a highly skilled defence workforce, it is essential to identify ways to keep veteran engineers engaged in defence-specific projects. This will support a ready workforce with existing security clearances and knowledge of the ADF.
Engineers Australia understands the challenges facing defence in their use of migrant engineers due to security clearance requirements, however, increasing our skilled migration intake and utilisation will help to alleviate workforce pressure in other sectors, freeing up more domestic engineers for the ADF.
Additionally, the ADF should explore flexible options targeting skilled migrants for in-demand areas now to ensure any unforeseen capability gaps resulting from engineering skills shortages can be quickly addressed.
Regarding manufacturing and sovereign capabilities
Engineers Australia acknowledges that a robust defence industry is an effective way to both build sovereign capability and provide flexibility to the ADF in responding to new and emerging challenges.
Ms Madew says for Australia’s defence industry to manufacture competitively, a combination of advanced knowledge, advanced processes and advanced business models is critical.
“To support local capability, a balance needs to be struck in the awarding of defence contracts, to ensure local Australian companies can be part of the procurement process.
“Finding avenues for local manufacturers to get involved will help develop Australia’s workforce further.”