Ambassadors from the EDGY Innovation Community recently gathered at RAAF Base Richmond for annual induction training.
Participants were introduced to their growing leadership role in their local innovation communities and were provided with direction and insight into the opportunities ahead as Air Force innovation continues to target capability in 2025.
"Providing opportunities for our EDGY leaders to network, learn from each other and readily recognise and support Defence innovation, is at the crux of our work," EDGY Program Director Wing Commander Kylie Cimen said.
The week-long course involved representatives from eight Air Force bases Australia-wide gaining insights into lab management, induction and reporting processes, work health and safety, and rapid-innovation protocols.
Ambassadors were also introduced to communications and event planning, to better engage with their local base communities and promote the EDGY Program.
"Around 90 per cent of innovation that takes place in Air Force is focused on continuous improvement and next-generation advances to existing capabilities," Wing Commander Cimen said.
"Our EDGY communities fit in these critical zones and their stewardship of ground-up innovation is essential.
"Our focus for the year ahead is to support our EDGY leadership team to support local innovators, or prospective innovators, to rapidly translate great ideas into practical capability."
Flight Lieutenant Loretta Jolly, an ambassador and lab manager from RAAF Base Williamtown, said she found the leadership aspects of the training invaluable.
"I also found the networking to be extremely beneficial. I now have a support network around me and know who to contact across the broader EDGY network for help or advice," Flight Lieutenant Jolly said.
She said she couldn't wait to get back to Williamtown and to start implementing some of her learnings from the week.
"We had plenty of to do items to get started on when we returned, with new focus thanks to the training we'd received," Flight Lieutenant Jolly said.
The Directorate of Preparedness Innovation will continue to offer a variety of training opportunities for EDGY community members and other prospective innovators from across the ADF.
Join the EDGY Community online or from one of the 10 labs Australia-wide.
