Menu Menu

Defence Industry Pathway Program Graduation

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Last Wednesday a ceremony was held for the graduating trainees within the Defence Industry Pathways Program from intakes Three and Four at South Metropolitan TAFE’s Bentley Pines Restaurant.

All trainees in the Program are provided with high standard of training through South Metropolitan TAFE to work towards a 52904WA Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways and are also exposed to the maritime Defence industry through various host placements within the industry.

The event celebrated the 31 graduates as well as 33 maritime Defence Industry employers who hosted trainees participating in the program.

The evening opened with warm welcome from Terry Durant, Managing Director of South Metropolitan TAFE, followed by an informative address by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcom, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships. Rear Admiral Malcom provided an insight into the possible opportunities available for the graduates entering the industry in Western Australia, as the graduates prepare for their start of their exciting new careers. Rear Admiral Malcom reflected on the inception of the program, the working through solutions to provide funding from Defence to the responsiveness of South Metropolitan TAFE to establish and lead the Pathway Program’s development and implementation. The host employers were recognised for their collaboration, commitment, and ongoing support of the Program.

A very special thank you to our Gold, Luerssen Australia, Echo Marine Group, and Siler sponsors Civmec, Ventia and Programmed Training Services.

The Graduate Award winners from Intake Three were:

  • Myles Arnup for the Excellence Award that was presented by Leighanne Middleton from Luerssen Australia.
  • Thien Le for the Safety Award that was presented by Joanne Mearns from Echo Marine Group.
  • Myles Arnup for the Defence Leadership Award presented by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcom, AM, CSC, RAN

The Graduate Award winners for graduate intake Four were:

  • Jack Morris for the Excellence Award that was presented by Leighanne Middleton from Luerssen Australia.
  • Caitlyn Pastrikos for the Safety Award that was presented by Joanne Mearns from Echo Marine Group.
  • Jack Morris for the Defence Leadership Award, presented by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcom, AM CSC, RAN

The Host Mentor Award winners were:

  • Dean Nguyen for the Host Mentor Award from intake 3 that was presented by Mark Burns, Programmed Training Services.
  • Milan Poznanovic for the Host Mentor Award from intake 4 that was presented by Mark Burns, Programmed Training Services.

The formal proceedings of the night ended with a heartfelt congratulations to Captain Angela Bond, RAN who has provided endless support and mentoring of the graduates throughout the entire Program.

Congratulations to each and every-one of the trainee graduates of the Program, we wish you every success in your future endeavours moving forward from this program into your new careers.

RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group addressing attendees of the graduation.
Royal Australian Navy Band Western Australia providing live entertainment.
Jessica Stephen from Intake Three with RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group and Captain Angela Bond, RAN.
Collaboration amongst industry Thalas, BAE Systems Australia and Luerssen Australia.
Jo Mearns from Echo Marine, a Gold Sponsor of the night
Leighanne Middleton from Luerssen Australia, a Gold Sponsor of the night.
Jaimee Shaw, graduate from Intake Three, and Lucas Riggio, graduate from Intake Four, providing a speech on their time through the program.
Representatives of Luerssen Australia and Echo Marine Group, the two Gold Sponsors of the night.
Peter Moran from Ventia, a silver sponsor of the night.
The graduates enjoying their night.
Jack Morris from Intake Four receiving the Excellence Award presented by Leighanne Middleton from Luerssen Australia and Terry Durant, Managing Director of South Metropolitan TAFE.
The graduate award winners, Myles Arnup, Jack Morris, Thein Le and Caitlyn Pastrikos, with Leighanne Middleton from Luerssen Australia and Jo Mearns from Echo Marine Group.
RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, Mark Burns from Programmed, Captain Angela Bond, RAN and Terry Durant, Managing Director South Metropolitan TAFE
Programmed Training Services, Naval Ship Management (Australia) and Babcock representatives enjoying their night.

Silver Sponsor CIVMEC with their hosted graduates

Austal with their hosted graduates.
Luerssen Australia, a Gold Sponsor of the night, talking with the graduates.
Myles Arnup from intake Three with Programmed Training Services.
Sasha Silk from Intake Four shaking hands with Captain Angela Bond, RAN.
RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group enjoying her night with the graduates.
Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways graduates from intakes Three and Four with RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, Terry Durant, Managing Director South Metropolitan TAFE, and Captain Angela Bond, RAN.

Raewyn Hooley and her parent from Intake Four with RADM Malcolm.

Luerssen Australia, a Gold Sponsor of the night, with their hosted graduates