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Student Sponsorship

Making every developer a secure developer

We’re working with students, graduates, and industry leaders to create a generation of secure software developers.

Want to join us?

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Secure from the start

Thousands of new software developers graduate in New Zealand and Australia each year, and we want to help every single one of them learn how to build secure software.

Why? Because security is most effective when we build it into the software development lifecycle early — and the earlier developers learn how to do this, the more secure our software gets.

By investing in our next generation of software developers now, we’re investing in the future of secure development, cultivating a pipeline of security-minded developers from day one of their careers.

Creating a generation of secure software developers

Is this an audacious idea? Yes. Is it necessary? Also yes.

Graphic showing numbers of graduates in NZ, AU, and US

We want to train every final-year student and new graduate in New Zealand and Australia who’s aiming for a career in software development.

That’s about 4,000 people every year. In the United States, that number jumps to over 200,000 per year.

We’re offering a year of fully sponsored access to our Secure Development program because we believe software security is a shared responsibility, and the more people who understand it, the better off we all are.

What’s included?

One year of full, sponsored access to our Secure Development program, including:

  • Courses and hands-on labs
  • SafeStack’s online community and monthly seminars
  • Credentials you can share with current and future employers
  • Opportunities to make valuable industry contacts
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Eligibility

To qualify for sponsorship, you need to meet the following criteria.

  • Be a final-year student or have graduated in the last two years from a verified tertiary education provider* in New Zealand or Australia.
  • Have studied for a qualification relevant to a career in software development and be pursuing a career in this space.
  • Have a valid student ID, email address, or other proof of eligibility. If you don’t have access to your student email address, we may ask for another form of proof.

*In New Zealand, this includes registered universities and private training establishments; in Australia this includes providers listed on the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency national register.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I do this? Will it help me get a job?

Around the world right now, there are an estimated 3.5 million cyber security job vacancies. That’s huge.

While completing training with SafeStack won’t guarantee you a job, making security part of your software development skillset helps you stand out with potential employers and can lead to some amazing opportunities.

When can I start?

Once you complete our application form, we’ll verify your eligibility and be in touch if we need any more information. We’ll onboard you to SafeStack soon after that.

When do I finish?

Sponsorships are valid for a year, so yours will end one year after you start. But you’re free to complete the courses at whatever pace you like.

Can I share this with my friends?

We’d love for you to share this with your friends who meet the eligibility criteria. Remember though; you each need to be eligible and have your own account on SafeStack to claim your qualifications.

How do I get help if I’m stuck?

As part of your sponsorship, you’ll have access to all our SafeStack support channels as well as the SafeStack Community, where you can chat with other learners and our expert team.

Can I extend beyond a year?

If you love SafeStack and want to continue, that’s great! Drop us a message as you’re coming to the end of your sponsored year and we’ll see what we can do.

Note that we’ll give priority to people who’ve been active and engaged in their first year.

Sponsors and partners

We’re delighted to be working with industry leaders to make this program a reality.
Their commitment to creating an entire generation of secure developers is what makes this possible.

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Help us train more students worldwide

Imagine a world where every new software developer from Boston to Bangalore, from London to Lithuania has security education at the start of their career.

We believe this is possible, and we’re looking for like-minded organizations to help us make it a reality.

Become a sponsor

Sponsors help us provide SafeStack training to students and graduates by contributing to the cost of providing it.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to the mission, share job advertisements with our student community, and run complementary events of your own.

Become a partner

Tertiary education partners are vital in providing gateways for students to find SafeStack training.

They can also help establish a pathway to accreditation so that students can use credentials earned through SafeStack towards broader qualifications.

Fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch soon