In a groundbreaking move, South Australia is set to introduce Australia’s first genuine Degree Apprenticeship, paving the way for a fusion of academic education and practical workplace training in the defence sector. Funded by the Malinauskas Labor Government with a $450,000 commitment over three years, this initiative heralds a new era for apprenticeships, blending university study with paid work.
From next year, South Australian apprentices in the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) program will be able to earn while learning on-site at defence companies. The apprenticeship, now recognised as a trade under the South Australian Skills Act 2008, is the fruit of a partnership between the University of South Australia, the defence industry, and the Australian Industry (Ai) Group.
Premier Peter Malinauskas expressed his enthusiasm, noting, “This is an amazing opportunity for young people to undertake a high-quality university education, while getting paid to work, and learn on the job, at a major defence employer.” His insights come from observing the successful implementation of degree apprenticeships in the UK, particularly at BAE Systems’ submarine shipyard.
Susan Close, Deputy Premier, highlighted the end goal, stating, “At the end of that apprenticeship process the highly skilled, technical nature of their work will be recognized through the receipt of a degree, ensuring global recognition of their learning.”
Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, emphasized South Australia’s pioneering role: “South Australia is currently the only jurisdiction that can formally recognize a higher education pathway as an apprenticeship in Australia.”
Cameron Baker, SA Skills Commissioner, assured that this new trade pathway will be safeguarded under the South Australian Skills Act 2008, benefitting both apprentices and employers.
Professor Joanne Cys of UniSA welcomed the program, designed to embed students in the workplace from day one, thus providing a real-world context to their learning journey.
Angela Wiggins from BAE Systems Australia lauded the initiative as a means to fill the skill gaps in the engineering sector, reinforcing BAE Systems’ commitment to growing their workforce in collaboration with educational partners.
Megan Lilly from Ai Group hailed the degree apprenticeship as a vital innovation, saying, “Degree apprenticeships are a timely and important innovation to help develop the skills that are vital to our economy.”
This revolutionary apprenticeship model is not only a stepping stone for the forthcoming AUKUS submarine project but also a keystone for future high-tech industries. It promises a versatile development for other fields, potentially including electrical and mechanical engineering.
The debut batch of up to 30 apprentices will embark on their five-year journey next year, marking the start of an innovative educational experience that promises to merge the theoretical with the applied, producing graduates equipped for the challenges of tomorrow’s industries.
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