UPDATE: South Australia is set to revolutionize its engineering workforce with the launch of innovative Degree Apprenticeship programs for the 2026 academic year. Flinders University hosted a critical signing ceremony on February 18, 2025, marking a significant collaboration between industry leaders, universities, and government representatives to enhance the state’s skilled workforce.
The event, held at Flinders University’s City Campus in Festival Plaza, unites multiple stakeholders, including Flinders University and Adelaide University, to deliver engineering qualifications that integrate on-the-job training with academic study. This approach aims to produce a new generation of work-ready engineers, vital for South Australia’s burgeoning defence and infrastructure sectors.
At this pivotal moment, Flinders University unveiled its inaugural Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Program, backed by partners like ASC, Redarc, and the T2D Alliance. The university plans to introduce a Civil Engineering Based Apprenticeship Program in 2027, responding to the pressing demand for skilled engineers in public and private projects.
The Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship is now entering its second year, demonstrating the success of this model. With new partners including BAE Systems and the T2D Alliance, the program caters to the high demand for engineering talent in the defence and infrastructure sectors. A total of 17 Mechanical and 6 Electrical and Electronic degree-apprentices were present at the signing ceremony, joining the existing cohort of 9 Mechanical Apprentices.
Flinders University student Lili, a graduate from Findon Technical College, is among the first to benefit from this groundbreaking pathway into the submarine and defence industry. “The great thing about engineering is there’s so much to learn about! I’m also looking forward to gaining practical experience while I’m learning,” she shared. Lili emphasized the unique opportunities provided by ASC, including potential travel to submarine bases in Hawaii and the UK.
These degree apprenticeships form part of a broader initiative detailed in the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills (SADIWS) Report and Action Plan, which aims to address critical STEM skills shortages in the region. The program targets both entry-level talent and mid-career professionals, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers.
With joint funding of $2.5 million from the Australian and South Australian governments, the Degree Apprenticeship program aims to create 375 new apprenticeships by 2028. This strategic investment underscores the commitment to developing a coordinated, statewide approach to education and workforce readiness.
Flinders University’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Romy Lawson, remarked, “By revolutionising pathways to launch careers, students can now earn an engineering degree in a real-world work context, while receiving a regular pay cheque.” This innovative model aims to fast-track skilled engineers into critical sectors such as defence, renewable energy, and infrastructure.
Commissioner Cameron Baker, Chair of the South Australian Skills Commission, praised the initiative, stating, “Degree apprenticeships deliver pathways that align with real project requirements and ensure that apprentices get meaningful on-the-job experience faster.” He emphasized the importance of an agile, industry-driven skills system to meet the demands of South Australia’s major infrastructure projects in the coming decade.
As South Australia leads the nation in establishing effective degree apprenticeship pathways, the impact on the engineering workforce is expected to be profound. The collaboration among universities, the defence industry, and supply chain businesses represents a critical step toward addressing the skills gap and preparing the next generation of engineers for the challenges ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates as this innovative program unfolds, promising exciting opportunities for aspiring engineers across the state.
