Shared success: Collaborating with industry isn’t just good for business, it’s good for people, too

Take JY Australia employees Sam Fraser and Vanessa Southwell. Through Capability Plus they’ve been given the opportunity to join the Raytheon Australia team while retaining the support of JY Australia. 

“Being able to work at Raytheon Australia has been a great experience,” said Fraser. “It’s the first time I’ve worked in a defence industry role that’s right at the coalface   of some exciting capability.”

Launched in 2021, Capability Plus provides tailored mentoring, training and knowledge transfer opportunities – creating practical pathways for SMEs to grow within the defence sector and contribute to increasing Australia’s supply chain resilience and sovereign industrial base.

JY Australia is an Indigenous and veteran-owned professional services and management consultancy committed to increasing employment and participation of First Nations people within the Australian Defence Force, defence industry and federal, state and local government agencies. 

JY Australia develops and mentors Indigenous professionals through the JY Australia Indigenous Development and Employment Program, or IDEP, and strives to support ex-service personnel, as they transition to civilian employment, via the company’s Veteran Transition Program. 

“The ultimate objective of Capability Plus is to ensure that the local defence industry stands ready to equip and sustain the Australian Defence Force,” said Ohad Katz, Raytheon Australia’s Chief of Contracts and Supply Chain.

“We are creating long lasting partnerships that will benefit Defence as a whole; we are finding opportunities for SMEs to collaborate and participate in our current and future programs.” 

Raytheon Australia’s integrated facilities and precincts around Australia enable opportunities to connect SME partners with each other to drive greater collaboration across industry and Defence. 

Southwell has not previously worked in Defence – her career background is health – but in November 2023 she was approached by JY Australia to join in a specialist project administrator coordinator role at Raytheon Australia, based at the Centre for Joint Integration in Adelaide.

“I’m really enjoying the opportunity to work in the defence industry at the CJI – I love the vibe here,” said Southwell.

“I really like the culture, and it’s great working with people who are experienced and being able to help shape something great.”

Southwell will soon take part in Raytheon Australia’s bespoke leadership programs, the highly regarded Raytheon Australia Leadership Continuum, which champions professional development and encourages ongoing learning, growth and career advancements.

“There are so many great opportunities, and they wouldn’t be available to me without JY Australia’s support and the company’s relationship with Raytheon Australia. I’m really grateful.”

 Fraser worked for the Royal Australian Navy for 12 years, then spent 12 months with a consulting and accounting firm, before he and his family moved from Sydney to Adelaide in late 2023.

In December, Fraser joined JY Australia, and through the services provider, he secured a training manager role at Raytheon Australia.

“The role I’m currently in is great. I’m right in the trenches, where I want to be.”