Engineering students offered jobs by defence, mining industries before graduating

Jaxon Craggs is one of many not-quite-graduates to be offered positions by defence and mining companies such as SAAB and BHP, as businesses vie for the pick of the prospects.

Jaxon Craggs from Mt Barker received the results of his honours degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Adelaide just last week, but he has already been working in the defence sector for months.

He’s one of many graduates being offered positions by defence and mining companies before they finish university, as businesses vie for the pick of the prospects.

While he was tempted by a bigger pay offer from BHP, his fascination with defence led him to take up a role with SAAB.

Jaxon has been working in the maritime sector as a systems engineer, which involves drawing up the requirements for ships.

“They asked if I wanted to work casually prior to commencement of the graduate program,” Jaxon said.

Jaxon Craggs has just finished an engineering degree at The University of Adelaide and is now working at SAAB. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“They took me on early, working two days a week just to begin learning stuff, working on things to get familiar and to get a bit ahead of the other graduates who will join in January” he said.

Jaxon is in the right place as he enjoys the challenges of the defence sector.

“Ships and submarines are all super cool, complex projects to me,” he said.

Jaxon is set to begin full-time work with SAAB this week, and was shocked when he found out he could apply while still studying at university as defence companies opened their intake early.

“They’re two of the biggest and best paying industries and they both have complex projects to work on and to do that they want the best graduates,” Jaxon said of the defence and mining industries.