Boost for tech students in western suburbs
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Catholic Education will partner with the State Government to deliver an almost $5 million expansion of the Rosewater Trade Training Centre, creating a skills hub right on the doorstep of South Australia’s maritime and defence industries on the Le Fevre Peninsula.
In announcing the establishment of the technical college, Premier Steven Marshall said it would support South Australian students to be best placed for future jobs.
“This is a major investment in the future prosperity of our State. It’s great news for the western suburbs and it’s great news for industry in general,” Premier Marshall said.
“In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, we must do everything we can to ensure our young South Australians are at the front of the pack to win the jobs of the future.
“Industry has told us that they need young people with work ready skills. We have listened and the establishment of a technical college in Adelaide’s west will deliver the skills needed to support jobs in the defence, shipbuilding and maritime industries.”
The joint project was selected following an application process and strongly supported by a panel made up of representatives from SAAB Australia, Naval Group and BAE Systems.
Professor Denis Ralph, chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, said the Commission was delighted that the State Government had recognised the outstanding leadership of Catholic Education in vocational education, which was clearly evident in the performance of St Patrick’s Technical College in the North, Marcellin Technical Campus of Cardijn College in the South, and other colleges across South Australia.
“We have a very high transition rate to employment and apprenticeships,” he said.
The joint investment will see the creation of a new machining and fabrication areas at the centre, as well as two laboratories to deliver Computer Aided Design, drafting and information, digital media and technology, and electronics and electrotechnology laboratories.
The technical college will be available to students from Catholic, government and independent schools. Work will be completed in time for new enrolments in Semester 2 next year.
Director of Catholic Education South Australia, Dr Neil McGoran also welcomed the announcement.
“We are excited to be working in partnership with the State Government to deliver a vocational education pathway for secondary students across Catholic, government and independent schools,” Dr McGoran said.
“The Western Technical College will give students qualifications that will set them up for life.”
Education Minister John Gardner said the college would continue to build confidence in South Australia’s high-quality Vocational Education and Training sector.
“The establishment of this technical college will continue to boost skills training in our State and equip our young people with skill sets that align with industry needs,” Mr Gardner said.
“Students that complete their training will have the option to transition into employment through an apprenticeship or traineeship within the industry, or into higher education.
“The skills these students develop will be meeting critical workforce needs in the defence, shipbuilding and maritime industries.
“We are very pleased to team up with Catholic Education SA to deliver this expanded training centre. Their proposal represents an excellent offering for our students and drew strong support from the Industry Assessment Panel.”
The Rosewater Trade Training Centre was originally developed as a collaborative initiative between Mount Carmel, Nazareth and St Michael’s colleges.
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