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Defence Industry Pathway Program Graduation - Intake Five and Six

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

12 September 2023

The August 2023 graduation of the Defence Industry Pathways Program featured a first-ever dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) group.

Eight ATSI students graduated from South Metropolitan TAFE’s program for intake five at the college's Bentley Pines Training Restaurant. The sixth intake of the program contained 18 students. 

The ceremony celebrated the achievement of all graduates, as well as the contributions of 33 maritime defence industry employers who provided host placements for trainees participating in the program.

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

The evening featured addresses from both Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary of the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, and RADM Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, RAN, Head of Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships at the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group.

The speakers provided valuable insights into the opportunities awaiting the graduates in the Western Australian industry as they embark on their exciting new careers.

Additionally, they reflected on the program's inception, the collaboration efforts to secure funding from Defence, and South Metropolitan TAFE's responsiveness in leading the Program's development and implementation. The host employers were also recognised for their dedication, commitment, and ongoing support of the program.

South Metropolitan TAFE thank the program sponsors for their continuing support:

  • Gold - Silver Marine Technicians Australia and Babcock.
  • Silver - Raytheon Australia, JFD Australia and Hofmann Engineering.
Defence Industry Pathways Program graduates with Royal Australian Navy representatives, defence industry employers, invited guests and SM TAFE staff.
Celebrating South Metro TAFE’s Defence Industry Pathways Program graduation for intakes five and six (left to right) - Rear Admiral, Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships; Elizabeth Carr, Chair SM TAFE’s Governing Council; and SM TAFE Managing Director Terry Durant.
Royal Australia Navy Band
Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group
Rear Admiral, Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships
Angela Dann, from Intake 5
Mandy Mo, from Intake 6
Terry Healy MLA, Parliamentary secretary to Minister Papalia, Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Defence Industry; Veterans Issues
Defence VIP Welcome, Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group & Rear Admiral, Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships
David Hele: Executive General Manager, Programmed Training Services
Host Employers with their Certificate of Recognition
Terry Durant: Managing Director SM TAFE, Raytheon collecting Excellence Award on behalf of Aron Morris Intake 5, Mandy Mo: Excellence Award Winner Intake 6, Erin Gillard: Babcock
Terry Durant: Managing Director SM TAFE, Programmed Services collecting Safety Award on behalf of Aaron Rundle Intake 5, Amelia Yardley: Award Winner for Safety Award Intake 6 & Rohan Green: Marine Technicians Australia
Terry Durant: Managing Director SM TAFE, Trevor Hammond from JFD Australia Award Winner Host Mentor Award Intake 5, Andy Alexander from BAE Systems Award Winner Host Mentor Award Intake 6A, Thales Australia collecting Host Mentor Award Intake 6B on behalf of Alexander Cowan & Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group
Terry Durant: Managing Director SM TAFE, Vikas Rawat Award Winner for Defence Leadership Award Intake 6, Angela Dann Award Winner for Defence Leadership Award Intake 5 & Rear Admiral, Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships
Rear Admiral, Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSM, Royal Australian Navy, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships & Captain Angela Bond RAN
Captain Angela Bond RAN

Graduate Award Winners from Intake Five

  • Aron Morris was awarded with the Excellence Award, presented by Erin Gillard from Babcock.
  • Aaron Rundle was awarded with the Safety Award, presented by Rohan Green from Marine Technicians Australia.
  • Angela Dann was awarded with the Defence Leadership Award, presented by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSC, RAN.

Graduate Award Winners from Intake Six

  • Mandy Mo was awarded with the Excellence Award, presented by Erin Gillard from Babcock.
  • Amelia Yardley was awarded with the Safety Award, presented by Rohan Green from Marine Technicians Australia.
  • Vikas Rawat was awarded with the Defence Leadership Award by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSC, RAN.

Host Mentor Award Winners

  • Trevor Hammond from JFD Australia was awarded with the Host Mentor Award for Intake 5, presented by Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group.
  • BAE Systems’ Andy Alexander was awarded with the Host Mentor Award for Intake 6A, presented by Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group.
  • Alexander Cowan from Thales Australia was awarded with the Host Mentor Award for Intake 6B, presented by Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainability Group.

Captain Angela Bond RAN was thanked for support and mentoring to the graduates throughout the program and received a commendation presented by Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm, AM, CSC, RAN.