Thirteen UniSA students have started work this year with three Adelaide defence employers – BAE Systems, submarine company ASC, and electronic warfare specialists Consunet – as part of a new degree apprenticeship program combining work and study in their first year of a Bachelor of Software Engineering.
The degree apprenticeships program is a partnership between UniSA, the state government, the defence industry and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
"The apprenticeship is designed to embed software engineering students into SA’s defence sector from day one," said UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd.
"By learning – and earning – on the job and integrating university study into their week, they will be able to hit the ground running when they graduate, equipped with the right skills."
The new program is similar to an existing one in the UK where software degree apprenticeships are delivered in conjunction with BAE System’s submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, the students are earning and learning in a fusion of academic education and practical workplace training.
UniSA said that the students will support South Australia’s growing defence sector, ahead of the construction of nuclear-powered AUKUS submarines.
The program has been funded by the South Australian State Government with a $450,000 commitment over three years. UniSA noted that, if it's successful, the program could set a precedent for other industries.