The recent signing of a $16 million agreement has provided Western Australia with federal funding for the first of two Australian Technical Colleges.
The college, to be located in Maddington, will provide Year 11 and 12 students with a centre to complete their secondary education, as well as pursue a qualification in a specific trade.
Federal Vocational and Technical Education Minister Gary Hardgrave said the college would provide another pathway to achieve trade training through school-based apprenticeships, targeted to respond to local skill needs.
“Students at the college will have the advantage of trade training and employment in addition to their years 11 and 12 academic studies,” he said.
Member of the Skills Formation Taskforce and Eurogroup managing director Rod Slater told WA Business News the technical college would deliver automotive and construction training initially, with further training in electro-technology and metals and engineering to be offered at a later date.
“The college will offer three days’ study with more of a focus towards training, with one day in the workplace,” he said. “It is a progressive slide from study into the workforce. There will be more value to future employers as they have more skills to provide employees in the future.”
Mr Slater said the first campus would be in operation in 2007, with the second to be developed through the Armadale City Council.
Mr Hardgrave told WA Business News there were concerns over the college proposed for the Pilbara due to a lack of business support in the region.
“They are running out of time,” Mr Hardgrave said. “We need the mining companies to realise the importance of a technical college in the region to combat the skill shortage. All we need is the business community to take up the challenge and drive this. It’s in danger of being lost if we don’t get the leadership.”
He said the Pilbara technical college was one of four nationally that had not yet been received the go-ahead.
