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Media Release
MINISTER HOSTS AUSTRALIAN TECHNICAL COLLEGE NATIONAL FORUM
November 2, 2006
For the first time, principals and chairs of governing boards from Australian Technical Colleges being established in every state and territory across the nation, have converged on Canberra to meet the Australian Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, and exchange ideas.
Principals, board members, business and consortium representatives from 22 Australian Technical Colleges have attended the Australian Technical Colleges Strategic Directions Forum at Parliament House which has included information sessions and addresses by Minister Hardgrave.
The Australian Government is investing $343.6 million to establish 25 Australian Technical Colleges in 24 regions, to promote pride and excellence in the teaching and acquiring of trade skills at secondary school level.
The new Australian Technical Colleges allow students to complete their academic studies in Year 11 and 12 while completing an Australian Apprenticeship to Certificate III level in the traditional trades.
Of the 25 Australian Technical Colleges planned, 24 have been announced and enrolments nationally are expected to reach the 2000 mark in 2007.
To date, Mr Hardgrave has signed 19 funding agreements, committing $289 million in Australian Government funding, and at least 20 Colleges are expected to be operating in 2007.
“Today’s forum will help build relationships and see a free exchange of ideas and opinions on how best to tackle the challenges of such an enormous and important task each one of these Colleges represents,” Mr Hardgrave said.
“Every College has had its own unique experience in reaching significant milestones, whether it be forming a consortium, turning the first sod or appointing a principal, and I have to praise every single individual who has come to Canberra, and the hundreds more who could not, for their contributions to date,’’ Mr Hardgrave said.
“This Government is all about expanding the opportunities for young Australians to fulfil their potential and the people gathered here today are all important in achieving this vision.”
The Minister opened the day-long forum, and the gathered representatives had the chance to meet the many federal members who have supported the establishment of Australian Technical Colleges in their electorates and regions.
The Australian Government is delivering a range of initiatives between 2006 and 2009 as part of its $11.3 billion investment in Australia’s future – the largest commitment to vocational and technical education by any government in Australia’s history. In addition to the Australian Technical College initiative, the investment includes:
- $781 million over 5 years from the Skills For The Future package which is 93% of the total funding;
- $5 billion over the life of the current Commonwealth-State Skilling Australia’s Workforce Agreement for the provision of training including through Registered Training Providers across all States and Territories;
- Helping to ease the early financial burden on apprentices by providing apprentices starting an eligible apprenticeship with a tool kit worth up to $800;
- A $1000 Commonwealth Trade Learning Scholarship with $500 paid at the successful completion of each of the first and second years of their apprenticeship in an eligible trade with a small or medium size business;
- Extending the Living Away From Home Allowance to third-year apprentices who have moved away from home to take up or remain in an apprenticeship.
Minister Hardgrave’s Media Adviser: Nikki Voss 0402 896 100
Dept of Education, Science and Training: Media Unit 02 6240 7300
Non media queries 1300 363 079
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - Adelaide South
Principal Jim Fenoughty
Board Member Pat O’Reilly
Australian Technical College - Northern Adelaide
Chair John Ats
Principal Rob Thomas
Australian Technical College - Spencer Gulf and Outback
Chair Greg Clothier
Principal Damien Judd
QUEENSLAND DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - North Brisbane
Chair Les Bradshaw
Principal Terry O’Hanlon-Rose
Australian Technical College - North Queensland
Chair John Bearne
Chief Executive Officer Geoff Riddell
Australian Technical College - Gladstone
Board Member Kerry Whitaker
Chief Executive Officer David Gilmour
Australian Technical College - Gold Coast
Chair Dennis Beck
Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Silver
VICTORIAN DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - Gippsland
Chair Peter Farquhar
Principal John Duncan
Australian Technical College - Bendigo
Chair Don Erskin
Principal Michael Langdon
Australian Technical College - Geelong
Board Member Michael O’Brien
Principal John Weichert
Australian Technical College - Sunshine
Chair Barry McCarthy
Principal of Sunshine College Tim Blunt
Australian Technical College - Eastern Melbourne
Chair Tom O’Brien
Executive Manager Terry Hutton
Australian Technical College - Warrnambool
Chair Graeme Rodger
Executive Manager Tony Austin
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - Perth South
Deputy Chair Rod Slater
General Manager Trevor Williams
Australian Technical College - Pilbara
WA Department of Education and Training Jamie Mackaway
ATC Consortium Member Mia Davies
NEW SOUTH WALES DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - Hunter
Chair Jim Gauld
Principal Terry O’Brien
Australian Technical College - Illawarra
Chair Bob Spiers
Interim Chief Executive Officer Trevor Collier
Australian Technical College - Port Macquarie
Chair John McGuigan
Principal Adam Spencer
Australian Technical College - Dubbo
Principal Ron Maxwell
Board Member Leon Shields
Australian Technical College - Central Coast
Chair Ray Atkinson
Interim Executive Officer Brendan Ritchens
TASMANIAN DELEGATES
Australian Technical College - Northern Tasmania
Chair Lloyd Whish-Wilson
Chief Executive Officer Nigel Hill
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Australian Technical College - Darwin
Interim Executive Officer Jon Baker
Interim Chair Peter Carew
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