Adactin launches hands-on graduate training program

A new graduate pathway is aiming to help close the gap between academic learning and industry needs.

Adactin has launched Spark Graduate Program to offer graduates real-world work experience and mentoring as a way to help address the IT skills gap.

The program is intentionally built around small group learning and support, where participants are integrated into real client environments while following structured learning pathways.

“Our aim is to develop enthusiastic graduates into future technology leaders,” said Navneesh Garg, CEO, Adactin.

The program targets graduates from computer science, engineering and information systems.

Adactin has also made it available to finance, marketing and business graduates with strong analytical skills and a genuine interest in technology. It recognises that technology is no longer strictly confined to the usual IT roles.

“As technology becomes increasingly embedded across all business functions, diverse perspectives and cross-functional thinking are critical to driving innovation and building more well-rounded talent,” said Garg.

Extending theoretical IT foundations

Garg pointed to the Australian Computer Society’s Digital Pulse Report that found approximately 150,000 businesses experience significant or severe digital skills gaps, despite an uptick in university IT graduates.

“The program focuses on bridging this gap … to ensure graduates develop both technical depth and problem-solving capability,” he added.

The program targets critical skills, particularly in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity and practical problem solving with real-world experience.

“While many graduates possess strong theoretical knowledge, there is often a gap in applying these skills in client-facing environments,” he said.

It is intended to extend the foundations students gain at university and prepare graduates for the workforce and the broader technology ecosystem.

“With support from mentors and senior team members, they gradually take on more responsibility as their capabilities grow, he said.

Is AI supercharging the skills shortages?

Garg believes the pace of change can make it difficult for universities and learning institutions to keep up the latest technology advancements.

To help address this, stronger alignment is needed between academic outcomes and industry needs, according to Garg.

“Long-term impact will depend on deeper collaboration, more industry aligned and regularly updated curricula, and sustained investment in building job ready talent across the ecosystem,” he said.

AI is adding to the skills shortage while also changing the expectations entry-level roles. Increasingly, employers want graduates that are adaptable and able to work alongside intelligent systems, Garg noted.

“Graduates need more than foundational technical knowledge. They are expected to understand AI driven tools, agentic AI data led decision making and automation,” he ended.