DEFENCE and security personnel across the Pacific can now access professional development and career planning through the new online Defence Training Hub – Pacific.
Launching the platform at BlackRock Camp in Fiji, Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil said the Hub was a practical example of regional collaboration and an investment in the people responsible for regional security.
“Above all, this new training Hub is an investment in people and the skills that will help keep our region safe and secure,” Khalil said.
The platform was developed with Pacific nations through discussions at the previous South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting. It brings together training offered by Australia, Pacific nations and partners in the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordinating Group in one accessible course library.
More than 150 training modules are already available, covering maritime security, land-based security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The catalogue is expected to grow over the coming months.
A Learning Pathways tool allows personnel to see the training and experience required to move through different roles, from entry-level appointments to specialist and leadership positions. The feature is intended to give Pacific personnel greater visibility of, and ownership over, their professional development.
Khalil said bringing regional opportunities into one place would make it easier for personnel to access courses, build skills and plan their careers.
“By bringing training opportunities together on a single platform, we are building a more connected, capable and interoperable Pacific while strengthening the relationships that underpin our region’s security,” he said.
As the Hub develops, it is also expected to support information sharing about training activities, regional exercises and defence cooperation initiatives.
The broader aim is to strengthen links between Pacific defence and security organisations, improve interoperability and build the capabilities needed to respond collectively to shared security challenges.
