Benignus is pleased to advise that we will be holding a one day course on Earned Value Management on 23^rd September at the Centre for Management Development, 180 Port Rd, Hindmarsh SA.

This course provides an introduction to the concept of Earned Value Management (EVM) and how it can be used to more effectively control project performance. EVM is used by a wide range of government and private sector organisations to manage projects and programs valued from hundreds of thousands to billions of dollars. The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) mandates its application to major procurements. This course provides a pragmatic and practical overview of both the topic and the DMO requirements.

Details about the course and a registration form are at the link below.

Please feel free to pass this on to any of your colleagues who may be interested in attending.

Please note that Benignus is offering a 10% discount to DTC members. The discount code to use is “BEVMDTC”.”

The gun mounts, manufactured by BAE Systems in the United States, are valued at $80 million and will be placed into a controlled storage facility in Adelaide until they are installed on HMA Ships Hobart, Brisbane and Sydney.

"The guns will be able to hit targets on land, air and at sea. They are capable of firing both Royal Australian Navy standard munitions and future extended range munitions," Mr Clare said.

Similar gun mounts are installed on the Royal Australian Navy's ANZAC Class frigates, the US Navy's Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, the Spanish F-100 frigates and on ships within the South Korean, Japanese and Danish navies.

More than 1,000 people are currently working on the construction of the ships across three shipyards in Australia; at ASC in South Australia, Forgacs in New South Wales and BAE Systems in Victoria.

"This is an important project for the Australian Defence Force. These destroyers will be among the most advanced and capable warships in the world," Mr Clare said.

Commercialisation Australia (CA), a flagship initiative for Australian inventors, researchers and entrepreneurs, is a competitive, merit-based program offering funding and resources to accelerate business building by focusing on the translation of innovation into commercialisation. The program has funding of $278 million over the five years FY 2010 – 2014, with ongoing funding of $82 million/year thereafter. In 2010, its first year of operation, CA has supported more than 90 projects across Australia, three of which are in the defence industry space. 

CA offers a range of funding options:

Skills and Knowledge (up to $50k matched 80:20): most suited to researchers, individuals and small companies that are new to the commercialisation space – they know that their IP has commercial potential but are not sure of the next steps. CA’s Case Managers help them to identify the specialist advice needed. 

Experienced Executives (up to $200k over 2 years, matched 50:50) enables companies to engage an experienced CEO, business development executive, CSO or other senior executive, providing small biotech companies with the experienced management skills needed to reach the next commercialisation step. 

Proof of Concept ($50k - $250k, matched 50:50) assists researchers, newly formed and existing companies, to establish the commercial viability of a new product, process or service.

Early Stage Commercialisation ($250k - $2M, matched 50:50, repayable if the project is successful) enables companies to develop a new product, process or service to the stage where it can be taken to market.

In addition to funding, program participants have access to its network of 20 Case Managers, experienced business builders who provide tailored assistance to guide applicants and participants through the application and commercialisation process. Participants also benefit from CA’s database of Volunteer Business Mentors who offer knowledge, skills and practical insights to assist participants to tackle specific business hurdles and build valuable business networks.

For more information about how to apply and organisations already participating in the program, go to www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au

On Wednesday 10^th August 2011, the Technology Industry Association (TIA) is once again holding the highly successful annual Careers Night for school students, their parents and teachers. Based on previous years, there will be over 400 attendees. The venue is the Ridley Centre, Wayville Showgrounds.

To view the event flyer, click here

The format of the evening is as follows:

3.00pm – 6.00pm             Exhibitors set up their stands. Light refreshments are provided

6.30pm - 7.30pm              Presentations

7.30pm – 8.30pm             Exhibitor and audience interaction

8.30pm onwards               Exhibitors dismantle their stands

The TIA has run this event since 2004 and has built on the great success of attendees, presenters and exhibitors. The DTC in collaboration with the TIA formerly invite you to represent your organisation with an exhibition. There is no cost to exhibit, we only wish that you bring engaging and educational materials to showcase the technology industry and/or the courses and study pathways.

We also encourage you to distribute the information flyer to friends and family to promote school students attendance at the event as we work towards building interest in technology careers with young people as a means of building the future defence workforce in SA.

2010 Career Night Exhibitor Testimonials:

“It was a great opportunity for us as display holders to have some one-on-one chats with interested students, help them clarify what the different courses and pathways really involve and where they can lead, and share our passion for what we do with them”. Flinders University

“Out of many events that I have attended, this one would have to rank as the best”. 

University of South Australia

“Some of the positive outcomes of the night were the number and range of attendees”.

There’s More To It Than You Think Campaign DTED

“We were overwhelmed with the amount of attendees, way beyond our expectations”!

Minelab Electronics

“What a great turnout to the Careers Night. It was a fantastic event”. REDARC Electronics

Please refer to the following booking forms to book your exhibitor space at the TIA Career Night:

TIA Technology Careers Night Booking Form – Word Doc format

TIA Technology Careers Night Booking Form – PDF format

Forms should be returned to Andrea McCarthy at andrea.mccarthy@tia.asn.au or by fax to 08 8272 5277.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please call Andrea McCarthy on 08 8272 5222.

• Lean Logic P/L recently received a grant, funded through DMO to run a Lean Manufacturing Consortium Program for a limited number of SMEs that manufacture for the defence industry.
• With grant funding and sponsorship by Lean Logic P/L, the Consortium Program will be delivered FREE of charge for consortium members.
• The program includes a Lean Manufacturing Workshop, networking, industry site visits, and coaching / consulting by a Lean Logic expert with over 20 years practical hands-on experience.
• Since the Consortium activities are very strategic in nature, not just tactical, it is expected that a Senior Management Champion (preferably MD or CEO) will participate in one of the 2-day workshops and the 1-Day Wrap-Up Conference. It is also strongly encouraged that he or she participate in each of the 1/2-day site visits, for group learning and networking purposes. 
• The program will run over a 3 month period, from 1 June - 31 August 2011.
• The consortium is limited to approximately 12 companies that are committed to the program and their consortium colleagues.
• The program will be conducted in and around Melbourne, with fortnightly activities, and is open to companies from all states.
• The program will be focused on tangible business outcomes for consortium members, and there will be a 1-day Wrap-Up Conference at the conclusion of the program.
  
• There may be some ancilliary activities that non-consortium members may particpate in, free of charge, with or without the need for travel.

Full details at http://www.leanlogic.com.au/blog/?page_id=596 including video outline of the program; workshop brochure (and testimonials); and downloadable Application Form.

Applications are to be made directly to Dennis Keay,  dkeay@leanlogic.com.au ,   T: (03) 90117 6633,   M: 0403 836 590

BAE Systems Australia Limited has been awarded a six-year contract to provide Interim Basic Flying Training to the ADF until Project AIR 5428 delivers a new pilot training system for the ADF.

The total value of this contract is $86.6m. The contract was awarded after a comprehensive tender process.

Basic Flying Training is an essential stepping stone for the future capability of Australia’s air power.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will continue to provide basic flying training at Tamworth using the CT-4B Airtrainer aircraft, upgraded to meet contemporary crashworthiness requirements.

Commencing in January 2012, the six-year contract includes annual extension options for Defence, for up to a further six years.

Basic Flying Training plays an important role in providing a cost-effective training solution for initial flying training for the ADF. Once personnel graduate from this course, Army personnel continue on to helicopter training at Oakey Army Aviation Airfield in Queensland; Navy and Air Force personnel continue to Advanced Flying Training at RAAF Base Pearce outside Perth.

Project AIR5428 is expected to deliver a new pilot training system in the 2015-17 timeframe.

• Offer outstanding networking opportunities to manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers, subcontractors, services providers and clusters around the globe.
• Help OEMS, and Tier 1 suppliers  to develop their supply chain in emerging countries;
• Provide the opportunities to the Malaysian suppliers to develop business with OEMS and the international companies;
• Attract the investments from overseas to Malaysia by setting up companies, or sub-contracting their products etc;

The ANZIDECC Directory is the definitive government endorsed purchasing guide for the Department of Defence (DoD). The Directory is used by the DMO (Defence Materiel Organization), DoD, Prime Defence Industry Contractors, Base Command and Overseas Defence Industry as a source of identifying new suppliers.

The ANZIDECC, now in disc format, is an opportunity to market your company within the defence industry.

For further information, view:

ANZIDECC Advertisement

ANZIDECC Media Kit

SimTecT is Australasia’s premier annual simulation applications and technology conference and exhibition, attracting national and international visitors and exhibitors involved in defence, transport and aviation, mining, ICT, emergency management, manufacturing and training.

Date:
30 May – 2 June 2011

Venue:
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Cost:
$300 (incl. GST)

Cost includes:

• Participation on the South Australian Government stand
• A dedicated counter branded with your company logo
• Business matching
• Inclusion in the ‘South Australia’ brochure, featuring all companies on the stand
• Company listing in the conference handbook (TBC)
• 1 x exhibitor staff pass (TBC)

Cost excludes:

• All travel / accommodation and incidentals
• Additional exhibitor staff passes
• Full conference registration

Selection Criteria:
To be eligible, your business must be registered and primarily operating from South Australia. You must also be able to demonstrate that you are actively developing commercial opportunities in Simulation and/or Serious Games, and that your development efforts require support.

For further information, please visit www.simtect.com.au

Register your interest by 5 pm Friday, 11 March 2011
To register your interest in joining the South Australia stand, please email Melanie Beck addressing the above selection criteria in 500 words or less.

E: melanie.beck@sa.gov.au
T: 08 8303 2131

• significant student contributions to projects and research,
• enthusiastic assistance to heavily committed teams, provided by personnel with professional appreciation of the issues,
• the option of deploying someone on minor projects that might not otherwise be feasible,
• the opportunity to assess prospective employees without a long-term commitment,
• preferential access to University staff and facilities, with opportunities for further collaborative research and engagement,
• altruistic satisfaction arising from contributing to the practical education and training of another generation of scientists and engineers,
• achieving the community service and engagement goals of their organisations.

Navitas Education is Australia’s largest privately owned education provider. We have recently developed a new program in collaboration with DIAC (Dept of Immigration and Citizenship) and multiple Australian industry bodies for the Accounting, I.T. and Engineering sectors called the ‘Professional Year Program’.

International students, who have graduated with a degree or masters from an Australian university (living in Australia for 2 years), participate in a 44-week workplace preparation course incorporating an unpaid 12 week internship. We are searching for businesses to partner with and who can offer participants much needed industry and workplace experience with no commitment to hire and with all insurances covered by Navitas.

The professional year program is a 44 week work readiness  program aimed at assisting Graduates with the best possible understanding of their industry and what is required in the work force.

·         Work placement of 10-12 weeks (full and part time)

·         Accounting, IT and Engineering

·         Workplace cover and all insurance paid by Navitas

·         No cost to Host Companies

·         No commitment to hire

If you are interested in taking on an Intern, please contact Jesse, Internship Placement coordinator on

8110 4012 or jesse.karnaitis@navitas.com

www.professional-year.com

www.navitasworkforcesolutions.com

Western Sydney company helping locals gain technical skills

An Ingleburn company is helping local apprentices gain the technical skills they need to work on cutting edge Defence equipment.

Broens Industries supplies engineering products and services to the Australian Defence Force. They currently have 33 apprentices working at their Ingleburn site, ten of those apprentices started this week.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare and Member for Werriwa Laurie Ferguson today met with the apprentices and inspected the work being done for Defence by Broens.

“The commitment Broens has shown to training their workers has helped them compete on the international stage,” Mr Clare said.

“Broens exports to 19 Defence Forces around the world. They recently secured a contract to provide a critical piece of ground support equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

“These successes are thanks to their highly skilled workforce.

“I met the Managing Director Carlos Broens in 2009. He told me the global recession meant exports had fallen. He had two choices, cut staff or cut hours.

“Carlos chose to cut hours. He told me his employees were his business.

“I spoke to Carlos again in 2010. The entire workforce was back to five days a week. No one lost their job.”

Mr Ferguson said Broens was a key employer in the local area.

“Broens Industries has over 140 employees, many are from the local area,” Mr Ferguson said.

“They are also giving opportunities to young people in the area by providing them with apprenticeships.”

Managing Director, Carlos Broens said Broens Industries had received more than $2,700,000 in funding grants over the past four years under the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) program.

“The SADI program has been a significant contributor to our ability to up skill our workforce over the last four years, which has resulted in our enhanced ability to compete internationally and win.”

The SADI program provides assistance to local Defence companies to help improve the skills of their workers.

Media contact: Korena Flanagan – 02 6277 7620