South Australian student brings 3D submarine to surface
Meeting the Australian Minister for Defence is not in the everyday life of most school children, but for Playford International College student Brandon, it was an experience he will never forget.
Brandon presented Australian Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne, with a model submarine created using a 3D printer, a product of the Defence Industry Pathways Program he and 12 other South Australian students successfully completed earlier this month.
Brandon, who met the Minister at the Defence Teaming Centre’s Defence Leaders Breakfast on Thursday morning, said he was a bit nervous, but glad for the opportunity to meet the Minister.
“I have really enjoyed being part of the program and learnt a lot about the defence industry,’’ Brandon said.
CEO of the Defence Teaming Centre, Chris Burns, said the defence industry is an excellent future pathway for students.
“It is an industry characterised by creativity, innovation, complex engineering and advanced manufacturing,” Chris said.
“Most equipment in defence is in the main hand-made, and to sustain that industry we need to nurture, grow and sustain a highly skilled workforce.
“The state’s Defence Industry Pathways Program provides the ideal model to reach out to school students and attract them to the industry.
“It is imperative that initiatives that encourage our youth to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics and enter the defence industry sector continue to be funded and supported.’’
DECD’s Pam Gerrard, Industry Broker for the Advanced Technology Industry School Pathways Project in South Australia’s schools, said the program had been running successfully for a number of years.
“Since the program has been running, I have seen one student change his career path from being an architect to now focusing on becoming a naval architect,” Pam said.
“The students apply to be part of this program, attending Regency Park TAFE campus once a week, and are extremely dedicated to realising their potential.’’
South Australia’s Defence Industry Pathways Program is funded by submarine maintainer and shipbuilder ASC, and supported by the Australian Government’s Advanced Technology Industry School Pathways project.
Premier Jay Weatherill and state opposition leader Steven Marshall also attended the breakfast.
