Values, Veterans and Vision: The Aimpoint Story

When Mark Robinson left the Army after 14 years, he didn't just transition careers - he identified a critical gap in Australia's defence capability. The industry was desperate for qualified workers, but traditional pathways weren't reaching the right people. Today, the veteran-owned, family-run business he built with his wife Jenna trains over 1,000 students annually and is embedded in virtually every major Defence project across Australia.

Aimpoint's approach to workforce development recognises that talent exists in unexpected places. Veterans transitioning to civilian roles access tailored programs that translate military skills into defence industry qualifications. Long-term unemployed individuals gain units of competency through targeted training, building clear pathways into defence careers. Different cohorts, different programs, same destination - a capable defence workforce.

Operating as both an RTO and moving into the GTO space, Aimpoint has built a model that combines deep defence industry alignment with comprehensive training capability.

Fighting for the Future

Mark is pragmatic about the business journey. "The old sayings are true - you learn them the hard way," he reflects. "You have to fight for it. I hear this from other business owners constantly. You have to fight for everything."

That fighting spirit is now focused on establishing non-destructive testing as a recognised trade in Australia. With their unique combination of defence industry expertise and training capability, Aimpoint is positioning to lead this emerging sector - building capability the nation needs before the gap becomes critical.

Aligned to National Objectives

Aimpoint's growth isn't just about business expansion - it's about national capability. Mark is clear: supporting the Australian Government to meet its training objectives and building the workforce the nation needs is a core value, not a marketing statement.

With involvement across most major defence projects and all the defence primes operating in Australia, Aimpoint has become critical infrastructure in the defence training ecosystem. They're addressing existing industry demand while anticipating future requirements. AUKUS has amplified what was already a significant workforce challenge, and Aimpoint is building solutions for both immediate gaps and long-term capability needs.

Regional Partnership and Capability

Aimpoint Asia, operating in Vietnam and the Philippines, reflects a dual-purpose vision: elevating regional capability while strengthening Australia's position as the partner of choice in Southeast Asia.

"We're building capability to Australian standards and creating pathways for those workers to enter Australia's defence supply chain," Mark explains. "But it's not just about importing skills. It's about supporting the region's own defence capability development and demonstrating that Australia is committed to being a genuine partner."

Training in areas like preparation and coating for ship and submarine maintenance builds sovereign capability offshore while addressing Australia's workforce gaps - operational thinking meeting national and regional objectives.

Virtual Reality: The Next Frontier

Ask Mark what excites him most about the future, and the answer is immediate: VR training and augmented reality.

"Virtual training breaks down barriers of location, both domestically and internationally," he says. "It's advancing so rapidly that in many ways it's now superior to traditional physical training. The question we're asking is: will we even need physical campuses in the future?"

It's not hypothetical. Son Bailey, in Year 10, is completing a school-based traineeship in ICT with a focus on VR and gaming - building skills in exactly the area Mark sees as the future of defence training. Aimpoint wants to be early adopters and lead in this space. The implications for Southeast Asian expansion are clear: virtual training could deliver Australian-standard capability without requiring every student to access physical facilities.

A Legacy in the Making

The family's commitment to longevity shows in both children's roles. Daughter Isabella, in Year 12, is completing a school-based traineeship in marketing - and has already made her mark. She doubled Aimpoint's sales shortly after coming onboard, a result that speaks for itself. Her ambition to take the CEO role one day is grounded in exactly the kind of capability and drive the business is built on.

Mark is honest about the complexity. "I wanted to work with people I wanted to be around - family and friends. It can be tricky. You need the right frameworks. But family and friends have more skin in the game."

He's already thinking about succession. "When the next generation takes over, learning to let go will be interesting. I'm aware of it, which hopefully helps."

Values in Action

Aimpoint employs more women than men - a reflection of both Mark's military experience and his pragmatic view on capability. "The trades we offer have no inherent barriers," he notes. "What I do see repeatedly is women underselling themselves. Men find it easier to talk about their accomplishments. I deliberately coach our female employees to promote themselves, their experience, their capabilities. That's the real barrier we need to address."

From veteran entrepreneur to workforce innovator to next-generation mentor, Mark Robinson is building more than a training organisation. He's creating multiple pathways into defence careers, establishing new trades, and preparing Australia's defence workforce for a future where capability is everything.

That's the kind of legacy that lasts.