A major expansion at Western Technical College (WTC) is skilling up today’s students for the jobs of the future.
While the majority of Mount Carmel College’s graduates move into higher education, the WTC is also a major provider of trade training pathways. These pathways have been boosted by the addition of facilities and courses including electrotechnology, automotive servicing, plumbing, information technology and screen and media, in addition to the existing trades courses of construction, metal engineering, and hair and beauty.
For students interested in a hands on career, the WTC – part of the outstanding Mt Carmel College educational hub which also comprises a primary campus at Pennington and a secondary campus at Rosewater – offers Year 10 students a “Try-a Trade” program, supported by local employers and industry organisations.
Year 11 and 12 students have extraordinary opportunities to gain SACE credits and VET qualifications at Certificate II and III levels suited to high-demand jobs in the maritime, shipbuilding and defence sectors.
“But we don’t hone in just on those industries,” principal John Konopka says. “Part of our work here is to broaden students’ understanding of where a trade can lead. It’s saying, ‘When you learn to work on the circuit boards in washing machines and dryers, you’ll be employable in a range of careers. And plumbing isn’t just working with toilets – those refrigerators with ice water dispensers, the massive ducting for air conditioning in warehouses are all plumbing’.”
Training is carried out at the college under the supervision of skilled trainers.
“Often when students go to an RTO they’re treated as an adult, which in some ways is good but many students still need the structure of a school,” Mr Konopka says.
“We check up if they’re absent, we know if there’s sickness or they’re struggling with the work so they get the industry qualifications with the help, support and structures that come with being a school student.”
The college is currently running an all-girls’ construction course with 15 female students. “We want them to feel comfortable that, if they are suited to working in a trade then they can,” WTC director Steven Hicks says.
“They’re doing a fantastic job breaking down barriers just by being here.”
WTC students Aeisha and Hannah are proud to be bearing the flag for young women in trades in South Australia.
“Now I’ve learned more about trades, it sounds like a cool place to work but it would be nice to expand the number of women,” Hannah says.
The 15-year-old is enjoying learning new skills. “It’s something new and not what you usually learn in a school environment. I think carpentry sounds pretty fun. It’s nice to learn something more hands-on and a possible job for the future.”
Fourteen-year-old Aeisha has taken a liking to tiling but is keen to try her hand at other trades.
“It’s good to talk to people in the actual industry and RTOs to see what I would like to do in the future,” she says. “There is such high demand for skilled workers so I am confident of securing an apprenticeship if I decide that’s what I want to do.”
Compass Catholic Community, a fee-free school for 17- to 24-year-olds in Davoren Park, is offering a chance to find out firsthand what it’s like to be a part of their school community at te first ever ‘Compass Immersion Day'.
