Defence businesses and groups are often known for their focus on processes, their discipline and their strict adherence to requirements.
But these strengths complicate closing the skills gap in the sector. As a result, they hinder overall performance.
If you are looking to address this, you can explore getting external support by opening Defence Consultancy Jobs. You can also look to skills training to build capabilities for these skills.
The tech and engineering skills gap in Aerospace and Defence
The technical skills traditionally required at A&D companies focused on engineering and building hardware. But today, it is software and program management that make-or-break operations. The complexity of the software in aerospace systems is doubling every four years—and it has been for at least five decades, according to System Architecture Virtual Integration.
260,000 people (more than half the population of Canberra) are needed in Australia’s technology workforce by 2025. The Defence Industry Skills Survey spotted a similar trend, with respondents reporting a shortage of specialists with skills in:
Engineering 73.4%
Logistics 26.0%
Program management 39.1%
Design 35.9%
Manufacturing 25.0%
Support Services 25.0%
Strategies for digital skills enablement in Defence
Last 31 August 2022, the 2022 Defence Information and Communications Technology Strategy was launched to ensure that Defence delivers mission-capable information and communications technology to be ready to fight and win in the digital age. It outlines four goals:
Empower faster, better decisions in the modern battlespace.
Remain connected and digital, even in degraded environments, to deliver secure, resilient, survivable and scalable ICT.
Address mission requirements through investment in a highly skilled and capable workforce ready for the digital age.
Achieve strong ICT partnerships that tap into the expertise and experience of Government, industry, academia, allies and international partners.
The strategy aligns with the Defence Data Strategy 2021-2023 that guides Defence in uplifting data management, machine learning, artificial intelligence and analytics across the organisation.
The ICT Strategy was also created considering the Defence Cyber Security Strategy that presents guidelines for a cyber resilient Defence and highlights principles to maintain a robust cyber security posture in a shifting strategic environment.
And then, in November 2022, the ADM Defence Skilling Summit was held in partnership with the Tasmanian Government to address the current and future skills requirements to deliver and sustain the nation’s future Defence capability.
Closing the gap with consultants and learning partners
Lumify People (formerly DDLS People) partners with public sector organisations to help solve problems, large and small. With 20 years of experience in logistics support, project management and training.
Our expertise has been honed in dealing with some of Australia's largest organisations and institutions. We have an established record of delivering results with commitment and passion.
Our consultants are the day-to-day client contacts delivering consulting and project management to our valued clients. They are highly experienced with an enviable skill set. Join our team when you apply for any of the roles on our Careers page.
Through the overarching Lumify Group and our affiliate Lumify Work (formerly DDLS Training), we have been delivering the best ICT training programs to the Defence sector for decades. These programs focus on categories like Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & AI, Cloud Computing, IT Service Management and Project and Program Management. If you’re interested in skilling programs, view courses here or contact our team at [email protected].