DSTG launches ongoing NAVIGATE program as part of STEM outreach to women

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has confirmed its successful NAVGATE program, which was trialled successfully in 2022, will become an ongoing Defence civilian recruitment program.

Applications for the 2023 NAVIGATE program close on 25 June 2023. 

NAVIGATE is one of a series of measures designed to help secure a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) workforce that better represents Australia’s diverse talent. Through NAVIGATE and other recruitment measures Defence aims to eventually implement a 50% target for women’s participation across key research and innovation career pathways.

“Increased STEM targets at Defence open significant opportunities for women to amplify our Force’s capabilities,” according to Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite. “We’re backing efforts to attract STEM talent to Defence’s challenging, yet rewarding, field of innovation and technology. NAVIGATE is our mechanism to build a team of top-notch specialists.”

The Chief defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, added, “By setting targets for women’s participation in our STEM entry programs we draw more fully on our nation’s talent pool, allowing Defence science to deliver greater impact to the ADF.

“Defence’s transformation agenda includes becoming an exemplar in attracting, training, retaining and providing career opportunities for women. These measures demonstrate in practical terms how we are taking steps to achieve this.

“Continuing to ensure the success of women requires strong leadership and a commitment to change, so I’m incredibly proud of these bold targets,” she added.

This change will apply to Defence’s Australian Public Service (APS) STEM entry level programs, including the STEM Cadetship Program and the Research and Innovation Pathway of the Defence Graduate Program.

These entry level programs currently have a women’s participation rate of 25% – the target would double the participation rate, and demonstrates a serious commitment to increasing the number of women working in STEM.

Increasing diversity and representation in these key fields ensures that more people can benefit from skills and employment opportunities, and helps strengthen Defence’s capability.

In addition to boosting women’s participation in entry level programs, Defence will also set a fifty per cent target for women’s participation for the NAVIGATE program. Based on the success of the pilot in 2022, NAVIGATE will now be an ongoing program in the Department of Defence.

The NAVIGATE program brings experienced STEM professionals into Defence from industry and academia. This broadens the diversity of Defence’s APS workforce and while also providing participants with a unique experience and supporting them to thrive as STEM leaders.

Participants typically complete two 6-month rotations in different areas of Defence before securing their ongoing placement within Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). This builds Defence-specific skills and supports individuals in discovering how they can contribute within the Defence context.

The NAVIGATE program received over 800 applications from the public and private sector STEM community in 2022. Defence set a target of forty per cent women’s participation rate and achieved a rate of forty three percent. Defence will work toward a fifty per cent women’s participation rate.

NAVIGATE applications close 25 June 2023.

Further information about NAVIGATE and other DSTG recruitment programs can be found here: NAVIGATE | DST (defence.gov.au)