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The Puckapunyal Military Area was a sea of orange vests in early September when more than 1300 school students from 41 schools and colleges across Victoria attended a Defence Work Experience Program open day. The students got up close with Army vehicles and equipment, including Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, Australian light armoured vehicles, artillery, tanks, G-Wagons, as well as military working dogs. They also did some physical training. Lieutenant Colonel James McGann said the response from students was overwhelmingly positive. “Across the day, I was impressed with the positive attitudes of the students and their willingness to learn. This was a real hands-on experience, and one I hope they remember for a long time to come,” Lieutenant Colonel McGann said. Defence Work Experience Program manager for Victoria Navi Kaur said the students’ enthusiasm was impressive. “The personnel were so engaged and happy to talk to the students, and help them understand what life in the military is like. The feedback we received from the schools involved was so positive,” Ms Kaur said. Careers and pathway coordinator from Echuca College Lorelle Pearse said the event catered across Years 7 to 12. “I have never, in 18 years of career coordination, been at an event that was suitable for all ages, and in a time where we want our young people to experience careers even earlier in their lives, this event out-performed all others,” Ms Pearse said. “The 46 students we took across were so pleased with the day. “I walked into the office when we got back and one of the Year 9 students was talking to the assistant principal, and he said ‘that was one of the best career events I have ever been to because the people were so real, they really wanted to talk about their careers and what they do and how they feel about it’ – I can’t ask for a better career education than that for my students.” The Defence Work Experience Program is designed to expose students to corps, trades and daily routines they would expect should they pursue a career in the ADF. By Captain Carlie Gibson Originally appeared on Defence News: https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2023-09-18/students-leave-open-day-enthused

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse – 2022 Annual Progress Report. On 15 December 2017, the Royal Commission presented their Final Report to the Governor General, detailing the findings from a five-year inquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The report set out what was heard by victims and survivors; and the Commission’s conclusions and recommendations to better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in institutions. The Australian Government committed to deliver five consecutive annual reports until December 2022, outlining the progress on the implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations. The fifth annual progress report was tabled in Parliament on 14 December 2022. The Royal Commission did not direct any specific recommendations to the Department of Defence. However, nine systemic issues in Defence were identified and have been addressed and subsequently led to the development of the Defence Youth Safety Framework.     Defence’s contribution to the 2022 Report. Defence continues to proactively address issues through the implementation and ongoing evaluation of the Defence Youth Safety Framework. The framework includes all aspects of Defence’s engagement with youth to provide them with physical and psychological safety, protection from abuse and protection of their overall wellbeing. Defence is also: refining and improving its youth safety training curriculum and delivery. More than 55,000 Defence personnel have completed the Level 1 Youth Safety Training Awareness, which became mandatory for all ADF members in June 2022. reviewing, updating and implementing the Defence Youth Safety Framework and supporting systems to ensure they remain up to date, relevant and effective. On 21 March 2022, Defence held its first virtual Defence Youth Safe Forum, ‘Youth Safe Culture: Embed, Empower, Champion’. The forum demonstrated Defence’s commitment to youth safety and protection. Defence remains committed to providing trauma-informed restorative justice and redress to victims and survivors of historical abuse in a way that focuses on their needs. Defence redress for people who have experienced abuse, including sexual abuse by members of the ADF includes: direct personal responses counselling financial payments.   What’s next? Recommendation 17.4 of the Royal Commission’s Final Report states the Australian Government should initiate a review to be conducted 10 years after the tabling of the report. The purpose of the review will be to: establish the extent to which the Royal Commission’s recommendations have been implemented examine the extent to which the measures taken in response to the Royal Commission have been effective in preventing child sexual abuse, improving the responses of institutions to child sexual abuse and ensuring that victims and survivors of child sexual abuse obtain justice, treatment and support advise on what further steps should be taken by governments and institutions to ensure continuing improvement in policy and service delivery in relation to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Defence will actively engage with the leading government authority for the review and provide a timely response in consideration of the above points.

A range of youth initiatives, combined with enhancements to previous programs have been delivered/implemented by Defence: The Air Force Indigenous Youth Program provides Indigenous candidates with hands-on experience, highlighting the range of career opportunities available within Air Force. During 2020–21 the program was suspended due to COVID. It was reinstated in June 2021. (2020-2021 Report) Pathway programs to support Indigenous Australians progressing to a career in the ADF were conducted in Cairns, Darwin, Kapooka and Wagga Wagga. In addition, the Defence Work Experience Program hosted 437 Indigenous students across Australia. (2019-2020 Report)

Planning for future Defence Work Experience placements are ongoing and will be implemented when it is safe to do so in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures governing the States and Territories. As placements are confirmed, they will be advertised on our online placement list and we encourage you to check the website regularly.A body of work has been completed to ensure that future placements are planned.

Australia’s Youth Policy Framework outlines how Australian Government policies and programs are supporting and improving the lives of young Australians. It acknowledges disruptions to education, employment and social opportunities for young people caused by COVID-19.    Read More