Adactin launches graduate programme to bridge IT skills gap
Adactin has launched the Adactin Spark Graduate Program to help IT students move from academic study into industry roles.
The Sydney-based technology services company says the programme is designed to address gaps between university training and workplace requirements in Australia's digital sector. It will focus mainly on graduates in Computer Science, Engineering and Information Systems, while also considering candidates from Finance, Marketing and Business who show strong analytical skills and an interest in technology.
The scheme sits alongside Adactin's existing undergraduate internship programme, which gives students practical experience by shadowing senior staff, contributing to projects, and developing technical and professional skills before moving into graduate-level work.
Under the Spark programme, participants will complete structured learning, project assignments, mentoring and client exposure. Graduates may then be placed on specific projects or into roles as individual contributors as they progress through the programme.
Selection will take place through universities, private education providers and a formal application process. Candidates will complete an online application, a skills assessment and interviews designed to test curiosity, problem-solving, communication and cultural fit.
Skills gap
The launch comes amid ongoing concern about Australia's digital skills pipeline. Adactin cited findings from the Australian Computer Society's Digital Pulse Report, which found that around 150,000 businesses could be facing significant or severe digital skills gaps.
The report also found that although university IT completions have risen by 11 per cent, many graduates still do not see a close link between their studies and their work. Half believe their qualifications are not relevant to their current role.
Survey data also pointed to shortages among workers already in employment. It found that 77% of technology workers and 51% of workers in other roles believe they lack at least one digital skill needed for their current job. Among technology workers, the most common gaps were in AI, data analytics and cybersecurity.
Employer confidence in graduate readiness also appears to have weakened. While IT degree completions rose by 11%, only 1% of surveyed tech employers reported graduates being job-ready in 2024, down from 3% in 2023.
That trend has pushed more employers towards retraining new hires after university. Nearly two-thirds of Australian employers now report needing to reskill graduates so they can perform effectively in their roles.
Company view
Adactin employs more than 300 people across offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. Its clients include public sector agencies and commercial organisations, and it works across cloud, AI and quality engineering.
The graduate initiative forms part of a broader effort to build its talent pipeline while responding to labour market pressures. By linking internships, graduate recruitment and project placement, Adactin is creating a clearer route from study into employment.
Navneesh Garg, Chief Executive Officer of Adactin, said the programme aims to develop enthusiastic graduates into future technology leaders through structured learning, hands-on project work, dedicated mentoring and meaningful client exposure.
"The program is designed to prepare graduates for the professional workforce while fostering innovation and long-term growth to benefit both our organisation and the broader IT workforce ecosystem," Garg said.