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Media Release
HOWARD GOVERNMENT MOVING FORWARD WITH AUSTRALIAN TECHNICAL COLLEGES
12 November 2004
This weekend the Australian Government takes the first step to fulfilling its election commitment of establishing 24 Australian Technical Colleges across the nation. Advertisements will begin appearing in the national and regional press seeking responses from organizations interested in establishing these Colleges.
Australian Technical Colleges will provide high quality tuition in both academic and vocational education for students in years 11 and 12. The Colleges will be located in regions with skills shortages, a large youth population and a strong industry base.
“The Government is committed to addressing the problem of skills shortage in our growing economy. For too long, success for young Australians has predominantly been equated to finishing year 12 and obtaining a university degree. Yet we face critical skill shortages in key trades. The Howard Government is challenging the view that New Apprenticeships and vocational education are somehow ‘second best’ to university” said the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, Gary Hardgrave.
“Collectively these select high achievement Colleges will provide tuition for up to 7,200 students each year. Students at the Colleges will be able to undertake academic, information technology and business courses. They will graduate from the Colleges equipped with the necessary trade, entrepreneurial, and business skills with the capacity to be self employed in the future or to go on to further education and training” he said.
The first of these Colleges will begin accepting students in 2006. They will be linked to and endorsed by industry and run autonomously by principals who will be able to engage teaching staff on a performance pay basis.
Tenders will be sought to establish Colleges in the following regions:
NSW: The Hunter, The Illawarra, Queanbeyan, Port Macquarie, Lismore/Ballina, Dubbo, Gosford, Western Sydney
Victoria: Geelong, Warrnambool, Eastern Melbourne, Sunshine, Bairnsdale/Sale, Bendigo
Queensland: Townsville, Gladstone, North Brisbane, Gold Coast
South Australia: Adelaide, Whyalla/Port Augusta
Western Australia: Perth South, Pilbara
Tasmania: Northern Tasmania
Northern Territory: Darwin
“These new Colleges will create new opportunities for our young people and promote pride and excellence in the acquisition of trade skills” said Mr Hardgrave.
Media Contact:
Mr Hardgrave’s Office: Anthony Moate 0402 415 167
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