Two of NIOA’s emerging talents have been selected for AIDN’s inaugural Young Professional Program class.

Jessica Redfern, Bids & Proposals Manager, and Isaac Jennings, Project Support Officer, have both been selected for the pilot program which will begin rolling out this month with AIDN Queensland.

In congratulating Isaac and Jess, NIOA CEO Rob Nioa said the YPP recognised the industry’s best and brightest.

“We are thrilled that Isaac and Jess have been chosen for this program which recognises defence industry’s next generation leaders,” he said.

“It’s testament to their talent and represents a fantastic opportunity to build on their defence and industry knowledge as well as develop professional networks.”

The YPP will include a number of defence and industry knowledge sessions while exposing the cohort to take advantage of connections in small to medium sized enterprises and primes, demonstrating capability within our local industries.

Topics include:

• Defence 101 – aimed at providing a high-level overview of government agencies, industry primes and SMEs.
• Introduction to ASDEFCON - providing an overview of the Defence contracting process.
• Australian Industry Capability - an introduction to the AIC program in place within defence procurement.
• Site visits to a number of AIDN member facilities.

Participants will also attend the Land Forces defence exposition in Brisbane in October where NIOA will have a huge presence.​​​​​​​

AIDN project co-ordinator Alanna Mahlakolisane said the program, aimed at under 30-year-olds, would give future leaders the opportunity to hone their skills.

“We are delighted to have two high calibre NIOA young professionals join this program which will assist their future career development,” she said.

Isaac Jennings and Jessica Redfern