Apple Foundation Program Coordinator Lorraine Marshalsey with some aspiring app creators
Hosted at ECU's City Campus, the Apple Foundation Program is a free opportunity four-week program introducing students to the fundamentals of coding and app development using Apple's powerful and intuitive programming language, Swift.
Open to participants of all backgrounds and experience levels, the hands-on program equips aspiring innovators with the skills to collaborate, design and build their own apps from the ground up, with no prior coding experience required.
Based in ECU City's purpose-built Apple Foundation Space overlooking the Perth CBD, participants use Mac and iPhone to design and prototype an original app that tackles real-world challenges using Swift and Xcode, developing the skills to become the next generation of app developers, innovators and entrepreneurs.
A student presents one of the app prototype designs
Students can leverage new AI tools and agentic coding capabilities within Xcode to support the development of their project and enhance their learning.
More than 100 students are expected to graduate from the program in 2026, helping equip and build the digital workforce in Western Australia as demand for technology and coding skills continue to surge.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said the program opens new opportunities for Western Australians interested in technology, entrepreneurship and innovation.
"The next great Australian-built app could be created right here," Professor Pollock said.
"This initiative is about so much more than learning to build apps. It's about empowering students with the passion, skills, creativity and confidence to solve problems, seize opportunities and shape the future through rapidly evolving technology. Around the world we've seen participants turn ideas into successful businesses, careers and innovations. Now, Western Australians have the opportunity to do the same," Professor Pollock added.
Assistant Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Member for Perth, Hon. Patrick Gorman, said the program helps address Australia's growing skills shortage, with projections showing the nation will need 1.8 million new tech-skilled workers by 2030.
"This initiative will help equip students with the skills employers are seeking to build Australia's future," Minister Gorman said.
"This program is enabling curious, creative people to solve problems, develop ideas and make an impact through technology."
To help make that happen, ECU's Apple Foundation Program Mentors are leaders in design, coding and app development, helping students gain real-world experience and knowledge.
One participant team from the Apple Foundation Program created Bloop, an app designed to support newcomers to Perth by connecting them with shared interests and passions.
Other participants have developed apps to bring together different cultures through food, encourage healthy habits and improve healthcare outcomes.
Minister for Science and Innovation Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC said the program would help position Western Australia at the forefront of the state's growing innovation economy.
"Developing a highly skilled workforce is critical to Western Australia's future economic success, and programs like this provide a direct pathway into some of the most exciting and in-demand careers in the world," Minister Dawson said.
"It's fantastic to see ECU collaborate with Apple to deliver this opportunity and help grow the next generation of technology entrepreneurs right here in Western Australia."
All aspiring tech innovators can apply to be a part of this exciting new program through this link on the ECU Apple Foundation Program website.
