Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced the launch of grants up to half a million dollars as part of Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) Grants program.

The Commonwealth government's SADI program will deliver $39 million over the next three years, with $17 million per year in 2020-21 and 2021-22, to support a skilled workforce in the defence industry sector. 

The funding is part of the government’s $1 billion investment package to boost Australia’s defence industry and support thousands of jobs across the country. 

Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price welcomed the announcement and the role the grants would play in supporting the development of Australia's defence industry, with SMEs in particular set to receive a boost. 

"I am proud to support small-to-medium Australian businesses in the defence sector by providing opportunities to upskill and retrain their staff through the SADI Grants program," Minister Price said. 

Funding is also available for industry associations to facilitate training for defence industry small-to-medium businesses to meet their Defence capability training requirements. 

Minister Price added, "This initiative will provide certainty to businesses looking for ways to grow their workforce skills and ensure those skills are up-to-date. This is just one of the ways the Morrison government is supporting small businesses during this time of economic uncertainty."

The program is a key initiative of the government’s 2019 Defence Industry Skilling and STEM Strategy, and will be delivered through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability. 

"The development of a robust, resilient and internationally competitive defence industry is key to supporting Defence capability needs and will foster economic growth. I encourage businesses nationwide to take advantage of this unique skills program," Minister Price added. 

For more details, including how to apply, visit: www.business.gov.au/cdic/grants-for-defence-industry. 

• Access Defence Industry Jobs and Training at www.defenceindustryjobs.com.au
• Download the Defence Industry Jobs App at the Apple Appstore - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/defence-industry-jobs/id1465864329
• Download the Defence Industry Jobs at the Google Play Store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uworkin.android.defence&hl=en_AU

Source: Defence Connect - https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/6776-skilling-australia-s-defence-industry-grants-program-launched