The Hunter Defence Conference will return in April with a comprehensive program of presenters featuring leaders from government, industry and the Defence forces.
The 2021 conference, to be held at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on April 22-23, will focus on helping SMEs position their business and workforce to take advantage of increasing opportunities in the Defence sector, as outlined in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and Force Structure Plan.
The event will feature keynote speeches by the Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, and the NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, as well as updates from Defence Primes and senior capability development staff from Army, Navy, Air Force, Space and Cyber agencies within Defence.
The conference will also look critically at how the regional industry workforce can be upskilled to meet these increased opportunities.
Hunter Defence Task Force Chair, Tim Owen said there is no better time than now to embrace opportunities in the defence sector and encourages business to dig deep.
“With the Federal Government having forecast a $270 billion Defence spend over the next decade and an increased focus on sovereign capability, there has never been better opportunity for Australian businesses in the defence sector,” Tim said.
“The 2021 Hunter Defence Conference will show current and potential contractors where the supply chain opportunities lie and how they can skill their workforce with the capabilities that Defence needs.”
Day one of the conference will be opened by Minister Ayres. It will focus on workforce capacity-building, featuring presentations from industry training and recruitment leaders, Primes and Hunter SMEs that have successfully integrated into the lucrative defence sector.
Minister Price will deliver a keynote address at a gala dinner that evening.
Day two of the conference will provide attendees with a comprehensive outlook on Defence needs and opportunities for collaboration over the next 10 years.
More information on the Hunter Defence Conference can be sourced on their website.
IMAGE | 2019 Hunter Defence Conference Industry Presenters
