30 April 2026
Western Australia’s defence industry workforce will be strengthened through the appointment of a high-level Advisory Board to guide the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence (DISCE), a key initiative supporting skills development aligned to the State’s growing role in Australia’s sovereign defence capability.
Backed by a $14.6 million joint investment from the State and Commonwealth Governments, the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence positions Western Australia at the forefront of national defence workforce development. The Centre supports critical national priorities, including AUKUS, by ensuring industry has access to a skilled, future-ready workforce.
Led by South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE), the DISCE delivers training and program administration across SM TAFE campuses, including Naval Base, Munster, Rockingham and Fremantle, located within Western Australia’s key defence precincts.
DISCE focuses on practical, industry-relevant training aligned to current and emerging defence workforce needs, creating clear pathways for students into skilled, secure and long-term careers across defence and related industries.
The newly appointed DISCE Advisory Board has been established to provide Government with strategic direction and evidence-based advice on investment in defence industry training. The Board brings together senior leaders from industry, government, unions, vocational and tertiary education, and the community, ensuring a collaborative and coordinated approach to workforce development.
The breadth of experience across the Advisory Board reflects the complexity and scale of workforce challenges facing the defence sector and ensures DISCE is guided by strong industry insight while supporting both State and national priorities.
(Pictured left to right: Back row – Dr Ross Kelly, Mr Andrew Widdis, Commodore Glen Miles, Mr Gordon Cole, Mr Mathew Morgan, Mr Steve Mcartney, Mr Fred Bkamdin.
Front row – Ms Jodie Wallace, Ms Danielle Bull, Ms Jodie Hanns MLA, Ms Amanda Lawton, Ms Linda Dawson, Ms Darshi Ganeson.)
Mr Andrew Widdis has been appointed Executive Director of the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence, providing executive leadership along with operational support to the DISCE Advisory Board.
Mr Widdis is a nationally recognised leader in defence industry training and workforce development, with more than 20 years’ experience across defence education, simulation and capability development. He has led major national initiatives supporting Australia’s naval shipbuilding, sustainment and emerging technology sectors, working closely with industry, government and education partners to build sovereign capability.
His appointment strengthens DISCE’s ability to respond to complex workforce needs while aligning training delivery with long-term industry and national defence objectives.
SM TAFE Managing Director Darshi Ganeson, welcomed the establishment of the Advisory Board, noting the central role students play, stating, “At the heart of the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence are our students - the future workforce who will help shape Australia’s defence capability.
“We are working closely with industry to ensure our training is practical, relevant, and leads to real career opportunities in this important sector.
“This Advisory Board will help strengthen those connections, so students can move confidently from training into meaningful, long-term careers.”
Learn more about the Defence Industry Skills Centre of Excellence and meet the newly appointed Advisory Board
Visit the DISCE web page for further information about DISCE’s role and initiatives, including detailed biographies of the Advisory Board members.