The National Security TAFE Centre of Excellence has launched a new short course, equipping South Australia’s skilled workers with the knowledge they need to identify security risks and protect Australia’s sovereign capability.

The National Security Mindset short course will help tradespeople, technicians and apprentices identify physical and digital threats and understand the role they have in protecting critical technologies and infrastructure.

The new interactive course uses different workplace scenarios to ensure students have the skills to prevent and respond to security threats, including foreign interference, insider threats and cyber attacks.

The self-paced, online training offers flexibility around work or study commitments and provides an accessible entry point for workers at different stages of their careers – from apprentices to experienced workers moving into national security-related roles.

In consultation with industry, the short course has been developed by the National Security TAFE Centre of Excellence, a $28 million joint initiative of the state and federal governments located at TAFE SA’s Regency campus.

Led by TAFE SA, the National Security TAFE Centre of Excellence develops innovative training, applied research and workforce capabilities that support Australia’s sovereign capability and critical technologies and infrastructure.

With the state’s defence, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, technology and other critical industries continuing to grow, the course has been developed with industry to improve Australia’s national security and information security readiness.

It also protects supply chains and workers in construction, logistics and infrastructure who may face interference in a changing environment. 

National Security TAFE Centre of Excellence Director, Nick Howie, says national security is increasingly part of the everyday working environment for South Australians contributing to critical industries.

“This course gives workers an opportunity to understand that environment through practical, scenario-based learning developed with industry,” he says.

“Our aim is to make national security awareness a core part of workforce capability, starting with the people who will build, maintain and operate the infrastructure and technologies that are critical to Australia’s future.”

The National Security Mindset short course will be rolled out progressively from Term 4, beginning with existing TAFE SA students.