From classroom to career: how we can guide young people into the defence industry
When most people hear the term defence industry careers they probably picture military uniforms and service scenarios. Yet, as we know, this idea could not be further from reality.
Australia’s defence industry, including the industry based in Western Australia, is a thriving ecosystem of cutting-edge technology, trades skills, cybersecurity, logistics and project management—creating diverse career opportunities that extend far beyond uniformed forces.
Changing that perception and introducing young people to the incredible variety of exciting defence industry careers available to them are key to securing the pipeline of future talent needed for the industry’s growth and success.
That’s why the City of Cockburn is encouraging students, teachers and job seekers to join us at the Perth Skills West Careers Expo 2025 on July 24-26 as part of our Defence Industry Careers Zone.
What is the defence industry?
The Defence Industry Careers Zone is designed to show the breadth of defence industry jobs in Cockburn and WA to the next generation of talent. We’re inviting businesses to join us to showcase career pathways in areas as diverse as:
Technology and Innovation: Software development, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing systems.
Skilled Trades: Including those used in shipbuilding, like precision welding, electrical work, mechanical engineering, and specialised manufacturing.
Logistics and Supply Chain: Managing complex operations that ensure equipment, materials, and personnel are in the right place at the right time.
Project Management: Coordinating large-scale initiatives that require exceptional organisational skills and strategic thinking.
Why early awareness matters
Defence already contributes an estimated $3 billion to the Western Australian economy and supports 7,500 jobs. Almost 2,000 of those jobs are based at Henderson, in Cockburn.
The WA Government’s strategy is for WA to become destination of choice for the defence industry over the next 15 years. $15 billion worth of ships will be built in Cockburn in the next decade and $8 billion is being invested in HMAS Stirling as Henderson prepares to become sustainment location for Australia’s new nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
As the WA Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025 said, “WA is on the cusp of a shipbuilding and sustainment boom”.
The opportunity for both the Cockburn community and career pathways is enormous.
Busting myths
Yet there are several misconceptions preventing young people from considering defence industry careers:
Myth 1: I need to join the military to work in defence.
Reality: The vast majority of defence industry jobs are civilian positions in technology, engineering, manufacturing, and business services.
Myth 2: I need a university degree.
Reality: Many defence industry roles value skilled trades, technical certificates, and vocational training just as highly as university qualifications.
Myth 3: Defence jobs are all about designing and building weapons.
Reality: Most defence industry jobs are far more likely to involve communication systems, transportation, logistics, and infrastructure that has both defence and civilian applications.
Myth 4: I have to leave WA to work in the defence industry.
Reality: Defence industry businesses operate throughout Australia, including in Perth and across Western Australia — and many of them are based right here in Cockburn.
How to get involved
The Defence Industry Careers Zone is an opportunity for job seekers, school leavers and teacher to engage with defence industry employers.
For employers it’s a chance to showcase operations, outputs, job opportunities, and training and career pathways directly to the next generation of talent.
Each year the free annual expo draws 14,000 students, parents, teachers and jobseekers. It’s the state’s largest careers expo and it’s the first time the spotlight will be on future jobs in defence.
Find us at stand 214 in the Defence Industry Careers Zone at the Perth exhibition Centre, register to attend here: Perth Careers & Employment Expo