Adelaide University has signed a major multi-partner agreement with the SA Government, Flinders University and industry to mark the next stage of the innovative engineering degree apprenticeship model, which fuses study and practical on-the-job-learning.
In 2024, the University of South Australia, the State Government and industry partners launched the Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship – the first ‘earn-and-learn’ program in Australia co-designed by academia, industry and government.
The model is now one of three engineering degree apprenticeship programs offered by the State’s two universities in a statewide effort to support South Australia’s growing defence sector.
Flinders University introduced a Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship program in 2025, and this year has followed suit with a new Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. In 2027, it will introduce the Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.
In a signing event yesterday hosted by Flinders University, SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker, representatives from the two universities, and industry partners welcomed the 2026 commencing cohorts involved in the three engineering degree apprenticeship programs.
The event also acknowledged the commitment of apprentices and the leadership of industry partners who are helping to deliver a new pipeline of skilled engineers for the state’s future.
By 2028, 375 new apprenticeships are expected to be created across the four degree-based ‘earning and learning fusion’ models, supported by joint funding of $2.5 million from the State and Federal Governments.
Adelaide University Deputy Vice Chancellor, International and External Engagement, Professor Jessica Gallagher, says the software engineering degree apprenticeship launched by foundation university UniSA in 2024, “has already demonstrated how powerful cooperative teaching and learning models can be”.
The program, which blends university study with practical workplace training, involves four Adelaide defence companies – BAE Systems, submarine company ASC, electronic warfare specialists Consunet, and Saab Australia.
Under the program, Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) students combine work and study over the five years of their degree.
“Strong industry partnerships have resulted in excellent outcomes for our apprentices and employers alike,” Prof Gallagher says.
“Expanding this successful approach across the state in other engineering disciplines gives more South Australians the opportunity to gain a world-class qualification while contributing directly to critical defence and infrastructure projects.”
