Will the Australian Government honour the existing contracts that are in place with the Australian Technical Colleges to provide training and education until the end of 2009?
Yes. The Australian Government will honour all existing contracts for established Australian Technical Colleges.
What will happen after 2009 for the Australian Technical Colleges?
In the lead up to the period when contracts in place between the Australian Government and individual Australian Technical Colleges expire, the Government will sit down and consult with the various interested parties and establish the best way of folding the management of the Colleges back into the State-based educational systems this will be done in a systematic, cooperative and orderly way to make the best appropriate arrangements for individual Colleges and the relevant local community.
This might be the State secondary school system. It might be the TAFE system. But equally, it might be the independent or the Catholic secondary school system. It may also be the case that Australian Technical Colleges continue to operate with the management from private industry.
Will the Colleges continue to be industry-led?
Industry input and involvement is vital in any training and skills development, whether in our secondary schools or in the post-secondary school environment. This helps ensure that the training provided matches the needs of the economy and of local, regional and national industry.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has commenced a broad consultation process with the Colleges and their stakeholders, education and training providers and local communities about future arrangements for the Colleges.
Following the consultations, the Commonwealth Government will be in a position to consider best possible arrangements for each College.
It is anticipated that the Colleges will continue to be industry-led, with industry boards serving as either governing boards or industry advisory boards, depending on the structure and ownership of the College.
What is the Government doing to address skills shortages?
The Trade Training Centres in Schools Program is an important element of the Commonwealth Government’s Education Revolution. It will provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to enable all secondary schools to apply for funding of between $500,000 and $1.5 million for Trade Training Centres.
The Australian Government will also provide further assistance to encourage students to study trades training and vocational education in schools, through a new 50 per cent Education Tax Refund to help families of about 2.3 million school-age children meet the costs of education. This will include the cost of trades training equipment and the cost of undertaking VET in Schools programs, including course fees, safety equipment and tools.
The Australian Government will provide $84 million over four years to enable interested secondary school students participating in vocational education and training in years 9 to 12 to access one day a week of on-the-job training for 20 weeks a year.
The Australian Government will also introduce a Job Ready Certificate for these students, to ensure that their training includes a range of employability skills that will enable them to move into the workforce.
What role does the Australian Government see that existing Australian Technical Colleges will play, within respective regions, in building a public perception of trades as a viable and rewarding career?
Raising the status and standing of trade training and vocational education and training is essential for the future and central to Australia being competitive and constructive. The Australian Government will ensure and integrated approach to the overall trades and training effort in a particular region to ensure that what an established Australian Technical College does is complementary to what a TAFE, secondary school or industry-based skills and training centre might be delivering down the road.
Each Australian Technical College provides both academic and vocational technical education, as well as the opportunity for each student to commence an Australian School-based Apprenticeship in a trade.
Australian Technical Colleges are for students in Year 11 and 12. Students enter into Australian School-based Apprenticeships in the trades at the Certificate III level, which leads to a nationally recognised qualification; study academic subjects, leading to a Year 12 certificate; and also gain IT, employability and business skills, enabling them to run their own business if they desire. Thus students learn a trade whilst studying towards their Year 12 Certificate and, if they choose to, study subjects that would give them the option to go on to university.
Each College offers training in at least four of the following priority industry areas:
- Metal and Engineering (including machinists, fabricators, toolmakers, welders, sheet metal workers)
- Automotive (including mechanics, auto electricians, panel beaters, vehicle painters)
- Building and Construction (including bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters)
- Electrotechnology (including refrigeration, airconditioning, electrician)
- Commercial Cookery
The Colleges provide an incentive for more students to stay on at school and encourage more students to pursue a trade qualification. They expand student choice by providing another pathway to a career involving trades. Colleges play an important role in expanding Australian School-based Apprenticeships, particularly in the traditional trade areas.
There is no single model for their operation and the Australian Government has not prescribed the design of each College. There is, however, certain governance, administrative, curriculum and learning outcome requirements which each College must meet.
Local industry and community representatives have a leadership role in the governance of each of the Colleges. The direct involvement of industry and community leaders ensures that the skills taught to students match those skills required by local businesses. Students will be trained in these skills through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. At the same time students will also complete the academic subjects required for their Year 12 certificate.
What will be the role of industry?
One of the distinguishing characteristics of an Australian Technical College is the leadership of industry in its operation.
Each College is linked with, and endorsed by, industry. It has a governing body chaired by a local business or industry representative and should draw its members from the regional community including industry, parents and education and training providers. Input from industry representatives ensures that what is being taught in the Colleges is directly relevant to the needs of industry and thus enhances young people’s prospects for further training and employment.
Can the trades offered be expanded?
The industries identified are the priority areas for the Australian Technical Colleges because of the skills needs in trades in these industries. However, if there are other trades which are identified as in shortage in a region, there could be scope to expand beyond the identified areas.
What is the advantage of an Australian Technical College?
A great way to start training for a career before you leave school is with an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. You can get training, work experience, a nationally recognised qualification and earn a wage.
Australian Technical Colleges provide you with the opportunity to commence training in a traditional trade through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship while at the same time studying academic subjects, relevant to trade careers and leading to a Year 12 certificate.
You will study subjects like English, science, maths and IT skills. Enterprise education, small business and employability skills will also be a feature of the Colleges to help you succeed in a competitive business environment.
What qualifications can students attain?
Students will graduate from the Australian Technical Colleges with a Year 12 certificate and substantial progress towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework through a series of Statements of Attainment.
It is expected that all students would have the opportunity to take up a trade Australian School-based Apprenticeship at Certificate III level. Generally it takes longer than 2 years to complete so it is therefore expected that students will complete their trade training as a full-time apprentice after they have finished their secondary studies. Colleges will provide strong support for the smooth transition of students to the next stage of their education, training and employment.
Will students complete their apprenticeships while at a College? If not, how will they complete them?
As students will be undertaking apprenticeships in trades which normally take up to four years full-time equivalent, they will not complete these in two years on a part-time basis. They will complete their training with an employer and a public or private Registered Training Organisation after they graduate from the College.
Do universities recognise vocational courses as part of an apprenticeship for tertiary entrance purposes?
It is possible for the vocational and technical education undertaken as part of an Australian School-based Apprenticeship to be counted towards a student’s tertiary entrance ranking. However, there are significant differences in the structure, organisation and assessment processes that lead to tertiary entrances across Australia.
Universities set their own student admission policies. They make offers to Year 12 students predominantly on the basis of the tertiary entrance ranking achieved after standardisation of Year 12 scores. Some courses may have other criteria or specify particular prerequisites.
It is the responsibility of the Colleges to ensure compliance including university entrance requirements, and take account of relevant universities’ requirements. This will be taken into account when developing an appropriate pathway with each student.
Is it necessary for all students to keep open the option of going to university?
No. Students will work with the career advisers at the College to develop a path that is most suitable for their needs. Students attending Australian Technical Colleges will be full-time, undertaking an Australian School-based Apprenticeship in a trade and academic studies leading to successful completion of a senior secondary certificate in their relevant State/Territory. As well as providing a strong foundation for a trade, this range of studies should keep open the option of going on to university.
There is considerable variation across states, however, in the actual mix of academic and vocational subjects which can be undertaken at the senior secondary level and which can lead to the certificate of senior secondary education and/or contribute to eligibility for tertiary entry.
What will it cost to attend an Australian Technical College?
The Colleges will be a mixture of government and non-government schools. At government schools non-compulsory contributions are levied for a range of items, such as course materials and field-trips. These fees will continue to apply in Australian Technical Colleges, as they do in public State schools.
Non-government schools charge fees as part of their funding mix. Australian Technical Colleges that are non-government schools will set their own fee structure. Where fees are charged, some Colleges may offer scholarships.
Who will run the Australian Technical Colleges?
Each Australian Technical College has a governing body chaired by a representative of local business or industry.
The Governing body is involved in the selection of, and works closely with, the College Principal.
How will the college staff be employed?
To attract and retain high-quality staff, Australian Technical Colleges will offer attractive work conditions emphasising flexibility, high quality facilities, strong professional learning and ongoing support for teachers. Teachers and trainers will need to be appropriately qualified and accredited for their role within the Colleges. Regular industry placement opportunities may be a feature of their employment conditions.
What else is the Australian Government doing to address skill needs?
In addition to Australian Technical Colleges, a range of new and continuing initiatives are available to address shortages in skilled occupations, including:
Employer Incentives
The Apprenticeships Incentives Programme 
continues to encourage employers to open up skills-based training opportunities in a wide range of industries. Standard incentives of up to $4,400 apply for Apprentices and Trainees undertaking Certificate III or IV level training with additional incentives provided for Australian Government priority areas. Additional incentives applicable to skills needs industries include:
- $1,100 for employers of Apprentices and Trainees undertaking training in skills needs qualifications in rural and regional areas.
- $1,210 for employers of Apprentices and Trainees in listed innovation industries.
Tool Kits for Apprentices
The Tools for Your Trade initiative will help alleviate the financial burden on Apprentices and Trainees in skill needs trades. Apprentices and Trainees who start a Apprenticeship and Traineeship in specified trades after 1 July 2005 will be provided with a tool kit worth up to $800 which they will be entitled to keep after they have completed 9 months’ training.
Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships
Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarships are available to eligible Apprentices and Trainees undertaking skill needs trades in small to medium sized enterprises. The scholarships will provide $500 at the successful completion of each of the first and second years of an apprenticeships in a skills needs occupation at a cost of $75.8 million over three years.