Degree Apprenticeship Program

One of the foremost workforce challenges in the manufacturing and engineering sectors is sourcing skilled, job ready, engineering graduates who are equipped to tackle real world technological and systems challenges from day one on the job.

The Degree Apprenticeship program is designed to bridge this gap, offering industry partners a streamlined pathway to develop their engineering talent. This program delivers a fully accredited engineering graduate, with hands-on experience with their employer, as a degree apprentice engineer who will be a valued member of your team during this five year program and beyond.

Degree Apprenticeship Program

Recruit and employ engineering degree apprentices full time, for a five year term, with paid time release for study towards their engineering degree with RMIT University.

The hybrid vocational-higher education pathway commences with completion of an Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) in Years 1&2, with automatic progression into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mechanical Engineering) for Years 3-5.

Applied engineering skills are introduced early in the program through the Advanced Diploma phase, with more advanced engineering concepts built on these foundations in the degree phase.

The program has been designed with the industry partners to incorporate the equivalent of a minor in systems engineering using competencies and context based on the INCOSE framework

The program will be covered by contracting arrangements derived from existing Australian Apprenticeship documentation.

Employer contributions

Degree apprentices will be available for work 3.6 days per week, with paid time release for study for the remaining 1.4 days per week, averaged over the 5 year program.

Employers provide workplace supervision and mentoring, with supporting resources from RMIT University.

Degree Apprentices will be paid under the award relevant to your workplace, with employers contributing a minimum of 50% of the student fees.

Employer benefits

Attract future engineers who are passionate and dedicated to advancing your industry.
Qualified engineers graduate with advanced applied engineering skills and 5 years of work experience with your organisation, building a deep understanding of your systems and processes from day one.
Selection and employment of the degree apprentice is at the total discretion the employer and is a pre-requisite for enrolment into the Degree Apprenticeship program with RMIT.
Access to applicable employer financial incentives for years 1-2 under the Australian Apprenticeships scheme.
Join the community of industry partners who collaborate to develop, implement and improve the Degree Apprenticeship Program with RMIT.
The Degree Apprenticeship Program creates a pathway to a qualified engineer for not only school leavers, but also existing employees, skilled trades people, and mid-career changers.
Attract a more diverse range of entrants into your engineering workforce. The first intake into the program was 33% female, with a mix of participants including school leavers, and people with prior work experience and a passion for engineering who were otherwise unable to participate in traditional engineering education pathways.

Intake 2026 is open now

The program successfully launched in 2025 with 4 participating employer partners and 12 degree apprentices.

RMIT is seeking interest from employers for participation in the next degree apprentice intake with training planned for commencement in early 2026.

Please register your interest and request a briefing here:

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Timing

Expressions of Interest from prospective degree apprentice candidates are open now.

Until August 2025: Expressions of interest from employers with indicative number of degree apprentice roles

September 2025: Employers commit to participation and number of roles on offer

October-November 2025: Degree Apprentice jobs advertised by employers

December 2025: Interviews and job offers

January 2026: Employment contracting by employers and training contracts signed up

February 2026: Training Program commences

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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