Tyler Redway
THE Mobile Australian Defence Force (ADF) Career Centre recently embarked on its first ever journey into regional South Australia to inform communities of the hundreds of career paths in the ADF.
Senior military recruitment officer and flight lieutenant Samuel Skewes said the centre had been “well received” from the locations it had already visited, including Mount Gambier/Berrin.
“We have had a large number of people asking questions and even some filling out their applications through the mobile careers centre,” Mr Skewes said.
“One of the big points about the mobile careers centre is that it’s hard particularly for the school-aged kids to get into their local centre to ask questions.
“We really wanted to bring the answers and the experience out to regional communities where it is easier to access that information.”
Mr Skewes said the centre aimed to answer any questions people had in regards to a possible career with the ADF.
He said the careers centre was an improvement to the ADF’s usual regional tours as it had the ability to have a broader coverage of towns.
“I think it was previously a case where we were doing some regional tours around South Australia when we could with a handful of staff, but it only hit certain areas at specific times of the year,” he said.
“This was a dedicated effort which took not only staff but information to a number of different locations to places we wouldn’t normally attend in a year.”
Mr Skewes said there were more than 200 potential career opportunities in the ADF, which was another point expressed during the sessions.
He also listed some of the benefits which came with a career in either the Navy, Air Force or Army division of the ADF.
“You get a competitive salary in whatever role you are in, your trade qualifications are recognised outside of defence, we have housing assistance especially with buying a first house as well as free medical and dental,” Mr Skewes said.
“We’re looking for anyone who is excited about a career in the ADF or if you’re not really sure, then come and ask questions so we can hopefully build some enthusiasm for a career here.
“You don’t have to have any type of qualification to work in the ADF, we have a number of jobs which don’t require it or ones we can give that qualification through the courses.
“You get a competitive salary in whatever role you are in, your trade qualifications are recognised outside of defence, we have housing assistance especially with buying a first house as well as free medical and dental.”
Mr Skewes said the ADF was currently in the process of making the mobile careers centre an annual event to help expand coverage in a longer period of time.
