Six months ago Ben Davis and Colin Edstein were wondering if their careers as aviation technicians were finished when Jetstar announced it was closing its Williamtown maintenance centre.
Today the pair are starting out on a new journey they could never have imagined just a few months ago.
The group, which includes several apprentices, has started training on theF-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
"In defence industry terms this has happened really quickly," Mr Davis who was working part time at a golf club pro shop after being retrenched from Jetstar.
"Our base skillset and qualifications will cover-off on a lot of things we will be doing but there will be some specialised training with BAE and Defence. Everyone is looking forward to getting their hands on a really cool piece of equipment."
The recruitment of the former Jetstar staff was the result of close collaboration between industry and the Department of Defence.
"I am delighted that we can provide highly skilled jobs at a time when so many industries have been impacted by the pandemic," BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Gabby Costigan said.
"The Defence industry can be an important economic catalyst, particularly with our increasing emphasis on developing Australian expertise and ensuring Australian industry is key to our supply chain.
"Over the next five years we expect to grow our Williamtown workforce significantly to support Australia's growing F-35 fleet,"
BAE Systems plays a key role in sustaining the F-35 advanced fighter aircraft, not only for Australia, but also for the wider Asia Pacific region.
Sustainment of the fifth generation fighter fleet is expected to directly create 360 jobs by 2025.
BAE Systems also sustains the 33 strong Australian fleet of Hawk Mk 127 'lead-in fighters' used to train pilots for combat aircraft such as the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
"The addition of 25 specialists to our workforce will ensure that we can continue to develop, grow and retain critical aerospace capabilities that will benefit both the Hunter region and the nation," Ms Costigan said.
The federal government has signed a a sovereign Training Support Services contract with Lockheed Martin Australia worth $100 million over five years.
The contract will see more than 70 Australian Defence Force personnel employed at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal.
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