Key partnership STEMs from sharing innovation

A renewed commitment to sharing innovation and technology was the icing on the cake when Army’s 13th Brigade and Perth’s South Metropolitan (SM) TAFE celebrated the first anniversary of its strategic partnership.

CAPTION: Private Veronica Bonnar, of 13th Engineer Regiment, speaks with representatives from South Metropolitan TAFE during a visit to Irwin Barracks, WA. Story by Major Dean Benson. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

To mark the occasion, 13th Brigade hosted more than a dozen senior representatives from SM TAFE at Irwin Barracks on February 2.

The guests were treated to a Bushmaster ride up Stirling Highway as well as an equipment display at the 13th Combat Service Support Battalion workshop.

Deputy Commander 13th Brigade Colonel Rhogan Aitken said the partnership was one of the brigade’s most important and said information sharing with SM TAFE in key STEM areas had enabled the brigade to continue building its engineering capability.

“South Metropolitan TAFE is one of our most important strategic partnerships and that’s because it is centred around multiple initiatives,” Colonel Aitken said.

“Whether it is sharing knowledge on innovation and tech, cross-skilling and up-skilling our people in specialist trades, or the opportunity to talk to students about joining the Army Reserve program, this partnership is invaluable to us.

“Partnerships like this are testament to the fact that renowned organisations in the community and across various levels of government want to engage with and learn from our people.”

CAPTION: Brenda Micale, General Manager of Training Services South Metropolitan TAFE, speaks with a member of 13th Brigade during a visit to Irwin Barracks, WA.

General manager of training services at SM TAFE Brenda Micale said her organisation would continue being a trusted industry partner for trades training and workforce development.

“We have a proud history in supporting Defence through the delivery of trade training, and this partnership gives students a chance to see their industry through a different lens and perhaps consider other career pathways they may not have previously thought about,” Ms Micale said.

“We have really established the partnership now, and it has created such a buzz amongst students and staff. I often get stopped on campus and asked about when the Army is coming back.”

The strategic partnership focuses on Army Reserve career pathways for students, information sharing, industry engagement, and cross-skilling and up-skilling of students and soldiers.

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