THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement
Friday, 11 July 2008
038/2008
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THALES’ SKILLING FOR
THE FUTURE
Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced
Australian Government support in the order of $3.1 million for training activities at
Thales Australia.
“Under an agreement drawn up through the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry
(SADI) program, Thales has committed to upskilling a total of 2325 staff over the next
three years,” said Mr Combet.
“Defence firms face stiff competition for skills that are in strong demand in highly
profitable sectors such as mining and energy.
“The SADI initiative shares the responsibility for skills growth and development
between industry and government, with a view to addressing the unique character of
many defence-relevant skills, and the rising demand associated with the ongoing
modernisation and expansion of the Australian Defence Force’s capability.
“Thales is one of Australia’s largest defence contractors and is currently contracted to
deliver against 28 Defence land, sea and air contracts.
“This new agreement represents a joint commitment on the part of Defence and
Thales to spend over $18 million on defence-specific professional and technical
training activities.
“Australian Government support through the SADI program will deliver an almost
five-fold increase in the level of training undertaken by Thales Australia, which is
more than fifteen hundred additional places over and above their normal training
activity,” said Mr Combet.
“Under the SADI scheme, the Australian Government provides financial support for
the direct costs of training which, in this instance, accounts for 17 per cent of the total
commitment.
“The Thales agreement is the 47th SADI Agreement to be signed and to date the
Australian Government has committed a total of $27.6 million from program funds.
Mr Combet said, “The Government remains strongly committed to supporting the
efforts of the defence industry to combat the skills crisis.”
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet): 02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
