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The Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force have released Defence’s vision for engaging with and supporting the development of Australia’s young people. The Youth Engagement Statement (the Statement), strengthens the vision and principles of Defence youth engagement. Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell said, “Defence is proud to support the development of Australia’s young people. Our programs incorporate leadership and teamwork activities that contribute to the personal and professional growth of participants.” Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty said, “Defence values the voice and perspectives of Australia’s youth as our future leaders. People are Defence’s most important capability and how we engage youth has direct links on our connection with communities.”   The Statement outlines an enterprise-wide vision, empowering our people by providing guidance on the delivery of programs that support Defence’s connection with communities, educational institutions and our future workforce. The principles of the Statement align with the Youth Engagement Policy and One Defence approach of delivering youth activities that are coordinated and well governed across the enterprise, ensuring the safety and security of young people when they engage with Defence. You can view the Defence Youth Engagement Statement here. For further information or guidance in relation to the Statement or youth engagement policy contact the Youth Policy team. Email: defence.youth@defence.gov.au

The Artwork story symbolises the important role that Elders, communities and people have in sharing knowledge, wisdom, culture and stories that support our young people and future generations in their journey of life. It shows the importance of relationships and connection between people as the foundations of learning, listening, sharing and growing. The concept of Learning and Walking Together values First Nations peoples, our culture and how it contributes to the cultural capability and work of Defence. This concept also recognises that opportunities for First Nations peoples to come together with Defence Work Experience Program, provides stepping stones/pathways for growth and future careers. At the heart of the artwork is our young people and the surrounding Defence peoples, mentors, communities, families and Elders that support through Learning and Walking Together. Artist: Lynnice Letty Church & Leilani Keen-ChurchTribes: Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi

Twelve students from the Walgett and Lightning Ridge region in NSW have embarked on an exciting journey through Defence’s work experience Indigenous Youth Program. The program works in collaboration with the NSW Government’s Educational Pathways Program to introduce Indigenous students, and their friends, to training and employment opportunities within Defence. During the week-long program across NSW and ACT Defence sites, students immersed themselves in Defence culture, learning about careers and taking on activities such as sea survival skills at HMAS Albatross and the over-water obstacle course at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Participants Malanjei Lane and Levi McCabe climb the over-water obstacle course as part of the Indigenous Youth Program. Head teacher NSW Education Educational Careers Pathway Program Timothy Wykes said the program was incredibly rewarding for students because they dove headfirst and immersed themselves in Navy, Army and Air Force life. “The program pushed the students out of their comfort zones and encouraged them to apply teamwork, leadership and communication skills,” Mr Wykes said. “It was great to see the students still buzzing with excitement long after the bus ride home.” For students such as Bryton Seabrook and Nick Newton, they now have a challenging decision ahead of them, drawn to multiple career paths within Defence.   Nicholas Newton in tunnel course at Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra.   “Exploring the role of an aviation technician in the Navy is very interesting, but also working on helicopters sounds great,” Mr Seabrook said. Mr Newton followed with: “I am really interested in an infantry role in the Army; however, being a seamanship and small-arms specialist [boatswain’s mate] also looks cool”. While fellow student George Kennedy, inspired by his grandfather’s service in World War 2, aims to follow in his footsteps and become an Army officer, Markel McBride dreams of navigating the seas as a Navy chef and Skye Noyes aspires to be a boatswain’s mate in the Navy. Manager for Defence Work Experience ACT and Southern NSW Isabel Massey said it was a privilege to meet and spend a week with the 12 students. Skye Noyes finishing the tunnel course activity at Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra.   “It was inspiring to see these students taking on leadership roles and achieving things they may not have previously thought possible,” she said. “The feedback from the teachers is that the students are still buzzing with excitement over their experience.” The Indigenous Youth Program is an opportunity for students to get a taste of Defence culture and the career opportunities available. It also offers a safe place for students and Defence employees to discuss culture and identity. Defence’s work experience program invests in developing the skills of young Australians. You can find out more about the program and the wide variety of pathways into Defence here. Originally published on defence.gov.au

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