Disclaimer: media release from Skills Lab

With COVID-19 casting a long shadow on the plans of the nation’s school leavers, industry leaders have teamed up with Skills Lab to launch Australia’s first Digital Engineering Apprenticeship as a firm pathway to an in-demand career. 

The new apprenticeship will offer tech-savvy school leavers a three-year placement in some of Australia’s top tier organisations under a paid-to-learn model, creating a new wave of para-professional roles recently coined ‘new-collar jobs’.

The program delivers on growing demand from industry employers for a new way to manage digital workflow. Creation of a new class of digital specialists in the Australian engineering community is predicted to be a win-win response to the fourth industrial revolution skills gap, with the potential to launch the careers of hundreds of school leavers across the country over the next five years.

“With technology changing so rapidly, there is a clear and present need for a new group of professionals who bring specialist training on how the different technical CAD packages and data can all come together in a customer-centric way,” said Peter Barnard, Head of Engineering Design and Technical Services at SA Power Networks.

The adoption of this next-generation career path within Australian industry holds untapped potential for employers and school leavers. Apprentices gain a nationally accredited Diploma of Applied Technologies while adding immediate value to organisations through application of learning in tailored micro credentials to current projects. Combining these learnings with traditional engineering skills, the collaboration is predicted to transform operations while providing real-world learning to the apprentice and reducing the risk of skills shortages for business.

“This new wave of digital specialists provide a vital boost to the capabilities of Australian industry. Graduates of the Digital Engineering Apprenticeship will have the combination of experience, skills and industry-recognised diploma to advance an exciting career”, said Laura Mabikafola, Skills Lab General Manager.

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the Digital Engineering Apprenticeships initiative is an Australian first, combining a Diploma of Applied Technologies with additional competencies in robotic systems, cloud-based data and computer aided design.

“It is critical to South Australia’s economy that we have a workforce with the right skills to fill these future jobs, particularly as the economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19,” Minister Pisoni said.

“This initiative was developed through a Skilling South Australia project, in partnership with the engineering industry who are crying out for more digital specialists.”

A number of leading Australian businesses, including SA Power Networks, are gearing up to host their first round of Digital Engineering Apprentices early 2021.

The program was officially launched on Wednesday 28th October at the National Wine Centre.

Full course information is available via the Skills Lab website.

Applications submitted via MEGT’s website.

About Skills Lab

Skills Lab is a SAGE Group company and a registered training organisation born out of industry. Delivering industry-derived training courses to individuals and organisations seeking to upskill with Industry 4.0, courses include nationally accredited and customised options in automation, instrumentation, PLC, SCADA and digitalisation training, delivered in-person or cyber physically.

About SAGE Group

SAGE Group is a specialist industrial technology services provider, delivering solutions across the smart transportation, energy, manufacturing, defence, resources and utilities sectors. It has offices nationally and in India, employing more than 470 people across the SAGE Group of companies; SAGE Automation, Nukon, Embedded Expertise, Skills Lab and Traffic Control Systems.

Media contacts:
 

Rachael Fahey

General Manager, Marketing Communications

SAGE Group

0407 728 854

Rachael.fahey@gotosage.com
 

Cassandra Shuard

Marketing and Brand Manager

SAGE Group

0438917887

cassandra.shuard@gotosage.com