The first fully government-funded Defence Ready Seminar Series will launch in August. While EOIs for the first course have closed, the second course in the program, Business Development, is now open.
The seminar series presents a not-to-be-missed opportunity for businesses to boost their SME defence capabilities and competencies, build relationships, find new opportunities and tap into the $270 billion defence industry in 2021 and beyond.
A joint initiative between Hunter Defence, Department of Defence, Goal Group and Australian Industry & Defence Network NSW, it runs over 12 months and includes 13 training modules – each a complete course of 2-7 weeks.
“This initiative is unique in this country”, said Tim Owen, Industry Advocate for Hunter Defence. “It’s about making a business as ready as it can be to compete in the global supply chain, winning defence contracts for Australian industry.”
“It’s an opportunity for SMEs to take their businesses from ‘defence interested’ to defence ready”, he continued, “with the potential to become an advanced defence business and a supplier of choice”.
The seminar series includes virtual workshops, eLearning, videos, introductory podcasts and question and discussion sessions. Each topic, from business development to tendering and security, is being delivered by a team of experienced industry leaders and facilitators.
Seminars are targeted at three business levels: Explorer, Exponent and Expert. Businesses simply select their level and the modules they would like to participate in depending on their current industry involvement, strengths and weaknesses.
The Defence Department has set very clear guidelines around the criteria for access to one of the 40 funded places within each of the 13 courses.
With the full seminar series rolling out over the next 12 months, Hunter Defence will be scheduling ongoing communications as each course gets close to commencing. If you have successfully achieved a funded place in one of these courses, you’ll be advised three weeks before the selected seminar(s) are due to start.
We ask you to please share this exciting news and opportunity with your business colleagues as a matter of priority. Should you be a selected SME you will receive a significant level of support to help grow your business and diversify into defence.
Click here to find out more and submit interest
For those businesses that have already submitted an EOI for one or more courses, please note that they do not need to register again.