Global defence leader Saab Australia is the latest industry partner to sign on to an innovative program designed to fast-track software engineering talent into South Australia’s growing defence sector.
The Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, launched in 2024 by the University of South Australia in partnership with the State Government and industry, blends university study with practical workplace training.
Under the program, Saab will employ first-year software engineering students as full-time apprentices for five years, combining academic study with practical experience on real defence projects. Saab, which is headquartered in Adelaide, joins BAE Systems, ASC and Consunet as key partners in the program.
Saab Australia Managing Director Andy Keough CSC said the company’s involvement will strengthen their skills pipeline for defence projects in South Australia.
“By bringing young people into the workforce through the Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship program we can fast-track their development and assist them to undertake more challenging work earlier in their careers,” Keough said.
“Saab Australia provides sovereign capabilities to the Australian Defence Force that are built on the strength of our employees.”
“With over 35 years’ experience delivering Combat Management Systems and other high-tech capabilities, our new apprentices will be building on the cutting-edge defence technology that has been developed and integrated by our Australian team to provide world leading defence capabilities.”
Inspired by the UK’s successful degree apprenticeship model, the program embeds students in industry early in their degree, ensuring graduates are job-ready to meet future AUKUS requirements.
Program Director Dr Jo Zucco said industry feedback has been overwhelmingly positive since the program launched.
“We meet with industry mentors every three months to check in and see how the apprentices are tracking in their workplace,” Dr Zucco said. “From all reports, they are bringing fresh energy to the teams they are placed in and are involved in meaningful work, completing tasks that have been on the organisations’ ‘to-do lists’ for months.”
The program has already earned national recognition, winning the Australian Defence Industry Award for Training and Mentorship Program of the Year and the Future Builder Award at Universities Australia’s Shaping Australia Awards.
Adelaide University’s Defence & Security Institute Executive Director Professor Michael Webb said the program is a win-win for all parties.
“It blends academic study with employment, creates work-ready graduates for the Australian defence and security sector, fills industry shortfalls in software engineering, and helps break down financial barriers for students wanting to study in this field.”
The program will transition to Adelaide University in 2026 following the merger of UniSA and the University of Adelaide.
Published 27 November 2025
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