Veteran Success: Saab Australia and Aimpoint celebrate completion of pilot Diploma Program
In a powerful demonstration of veteran support and industry collaboration, Saab Australia and Aimpoint have celebrated the graduation of former Australian Defence Force (ADF) member and Saab Australia Maintenance Manager Daniel Grayson, who has successfully completed the pilot Diploma of Project Management program developed specifically for veterans.
Launched in partnership with Saab as part of their Veteran and ADF Partner Program, the 12-month initiative provided Daniel with real-time, workplace-integrated training supported by Aimpoint’s Defence-qualified trainers. Throughout the program, Daniel worked closely with project teams inside Saab, applying theoretical learning directly to live projects with support and mentoring from Aimpoint and Saab personnel.
Daniel completed key project deliverables aligned to the diploma’s requirements, including developing and managing project scopes, schedules, risks, communications, and cost plans — gaining nationally recognised qualifications while contributing meaningfully to business outcomes.
At the graduation ceremony, Aimpoint CEO Mark Robinson awarded Daniel his diploma, stating:
“We’re proud to have partnered with Saab Australia to deliver this unique program. It highlights Saab’s commitment not only to their staff and their veteran employees, but also to backing veteran-owned Australian businesses like Aimpoint. This is exactly the kind of industry-led collaboration the veteran community needs.”
Saab Australia’s Managing Director Andy Keough CSC said:
“This partnership with Aimpoint demonstrates how industry can play a leading role in supporting veterans to thrive in civilian careers, while retaining valuable experience within Australia’s defence sector.”
Daniel Grayson, who served in the Australian Army said:
“Saab and Aimpoint closely collaborated to create a tailored experience that built on the skills I developed in the Australian Army, aligning them with Saab’s processes. This has not only enhanced my value to Saab, but has also strengthened my employability in the civilian sector.”
In recognition of the program’s success, Saab Australia has committed to expanding the initiative to all staff in the organisation, placing an additional 10 staff into training for FY25/26. These participants will enrol in either the Diploma of Project Management or Diploma of Materiel Logistics with Aimpoint, further strengthening skills pipelines across Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
Also attending the ceremony was South Australian Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, who commended both organisations:
“It’s fantastic to see businesses, particularly in the defence industry like Saab, working hand-in-hand with Aimpoint and taking veteran employment and wellbeing seriously. Aimpoint and Saab are both valued members of the SA Veteran Employment Network and our Government is grateful for their commitment to supporting veterans.”
Both Saab and Aimpoint are active members of the South Australian Government’s Veteran Employer Network —a model for veteran employment best practice.