NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO BUILD A DIVERSE ADF
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Personnel, Dan Tehan today launched ‘The ADF Surprised us’ recruitment campaign to help the Australian Defence Force (ADF) attract the best talent from the widest possible talent pool.
The campaign features culturally diverse ADF members sharing their stories to encourage more Australians to consider a career in the ADF.
The ADF members featured in the campaign are from Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indigenous and Caucasian backgrounds, and many serve in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) roles.
Minister Payne said the campaign will widen the ADF’s recruitment pool so that it can access the enormous talent that exists within Australia.
“Defence’s greatest asset is its people. To create the strongest Defence organisation possible we must attract and retain the best talent Australia has to offer,” Minister Payne said.
“The ADF should reflect the diverse society that is Australia today.
“A diverse workforce provides a greater range of ideas and insights to challenge accepted norms and will help strengthen our capability and our operational effectiveness.”
Minister Tehan said there was tremendous talent in Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse community, with more than 30 per cent of the ADF’s existing culturally and linguistically diverse workforce employed in STEM roles.
“Defence needs people with skills in information, technology, engineering as well as natural and physical sciences,” Minister Tehan said.
“ADF members enjoy opportunities in an inclusive environment where culture is recognised and respected. ADF members have the chance to lead and be part of a team where they can grow and develop.
“The members featured in the campaign, share the leap of faith it took for them to join the ADF. The campaign also sends a message to Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds that the ADF offers a promising future.”
Minister Tehan said the ADF members in this campaign are all Australian citizens who were willing to take a chance on the ADF and have a long-term stake in the future of Australia.