Veterans are central to building a diverse, inclusive and highly skilled workforce that will deliver and sustain Australia’s submarines for generations to come.
Australia’s submarine company, ASC, has launched a new Veterans Advisory Committee to enhance support for ex‑serving employees and encourage more veterans to take up careers in the nation’s growing defence industry.
The committee brings together both veterans and non‑veterans who will collaborate to champion the needs of ex‑serving employees, advise on support programs and help embed veteran experience into workplace culture. The group will also assist in shaping clearer pathways for veterans moving from military service into ASC’s highly skilled workforce.
Veterans SA Director Bianca Wheeler welcomed the initiative, saying it reflects the momentum building across industry to create purposeful career pathways for those who have served.
“ASC’s commitment to elevating veteran voices through this committee is a powerful statement,” Ms Wheeler said.
“Veterans bring unmatched expertise and leadership to South Australia’s defence industry, and initiatives like this help ensure they feel valued, understood and supported as they transition into new careers.”
The company’s focus on veteran inclusion has continued to strengthen since it joined the South Australian Veteran Employer Network (SAVEN) last year.
Facilitated by Veterans SA, SAVEN connects employers across the South Australian business community committed to building genuine veteran-ready workplaces, sharing guidance, expertise and talent and strengthening veteran employment practices.
South Australia’s defence industry is undergoing major expansion, with AUKUS‑related programs and other long‑term shipbuilding projects driving demand for a highly capable workforce. Veterans, bring operational insight, technical proficiency and leadership that are seen as essential contributors to this growth.
ASC Acting Chief Executive Officer Alex Walsh said the Veterans Advisory Committee reflects the company’s gratitude for the extraordinary contribution veterans have made – not only to the nation, but to ASC over more than four decades.
“Veterans have made an immense and lasting contribution to ASC for more than 40 years,” Mr Walsh said.
“More than 100 veterans currently work at ASC in a wide range of roles. The establishment of the Veterans Advisory Committee, along with our involvement in the South Australian Veteran Employer Network, is one way we honour their service and ensure our organisation remains a place where their experience is valued, respected and supported. Veterans are central to building a diverse, inclusive and highly skilled workforce that will deliver and sustain Australia’s submarines for generations to come.”
ASC’s new advisory committee reinforces the value of the South Australian Government’s Industry Integration and Partnerships initiative, a four‑year, $1 million program aimed at boosting employment pathways for veterans and their partners into high‑demand sectors, including defence.
With the establishment of this committee, ASC continues to evolve its veteran‑ready culture, strengthening belonging for current ex‑serving employees while opening doors for many more to join South Australia’s future‑focused defence workforce.
