Wodonga TAFE and Australian Defence Force strengthen partnership to deliver technical trades training to Defence personnel across Australia.

Friday, 30 June 2023

Wodonga TAFE is proud to expand its training partnership with the Australian Defence Force for technical trades training services on a national basis, to include both Army and Navy. Wodonga TAFE is the successful tenderer for an extensive contract valued at approximately $300 million over 5 years, with a potential to extend this up to 10 years. This contract brings employment for up to 250 dedicated staff. 

Wodonga TAFE maintains existing contracts with Defence for technical trades training (Bandiana and Latchford Barracks), heavy vehicle and plant machinery training (Puckapunyal, Amberley, Darwin, Townsville, Watsonia, Barnawartha North, and Enoggera) and medic training (Latchford Barracks).  

Through a National Technical Education Network (NTEN) that Wodonga TAFE leads within this new contract, we’re able to expand our offerings on a national scale. 

Wodonga TAFE will lead the delivery of Joint Technical Trades Training utilising designated national training partners throughout the NTEN, including Chisholm Institute, TAFE QLD, University of New England Partnerships, National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Kangan Institute, Charles Darwin University, Kinetic IT, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and South Metropolitan TAFE.  

"We are proud to have a nationwide network of strategically aligned RTOs, led by Wodonga TAFE, with an established sovereign training capability that meets Navy and Army needs for Joint Technical Trades Training that is high-quality, scalable, and fit for purpose." said Damien Crawley, Executive Officer, Training Transformation Solutions, Wodonga TAFE.

There are significant social and economic benefits realised through utilising the NTEN – representing the vocational and educational training providers – those very institutions which are the heart of their communities. 

Wodonga TAFE CEO Phil Paterson said, "We are very proud to offer this service in support of those defending our nation. Our success is a testament to all the work our staff and our partner TAFEs have put in to fulfil our existing partnership with Defence, and the work put in to create this new exciting contract.

This is a big win for Wodonga TAFE, our local region, the Victorian TAFE Network, and our National Technical Education Network." 

^{Photography credit and copyright Commonwealth Government, Department of Defence.}