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THREE NEW AUSTRALIAN TECHNICAL COLLEGES ANNOUNCED

The status of vocational education and training has received a further boost from the Howard Government with the announcement of three additional Australian Technical Colleges.

The Colleges, to be located in northern Perth, southern Brisbane and the greater Penrith region of New South Wales, build on the highly successful programme to re-start technical education at secondary schools around Australia.

This $83.6 million investment will ensure that there are two Australian Technical Colleges in each of our largest
cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – in addition to the 18 Colleges in other cities and regions around Australia. This additional funding boosts the Australian Government’s total investment in the Australian Technical College initiative to $552 million.

"These Australian Technical Colleges are part of the Australian Government’s plan to restore the true value of technical and vocational training, where a high quality technical qualification is as prized as a university degree," the Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, the Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, said tonight.

This takes the total to 28 Australian Technical Colleges around the country, with 20 now open for business. The Colleges have been met with strong support by the community and local businesses.

"Federal Labor has promised to scrap these Technical Colleges. This would see Australia return to the days of the 1980s and early 1990s, when the Labor Government treated a trade career as almost second class. Australia cannot afford to go down this path again."

These Year 11 and Year 12 Colleges enable students to get a head start on their apprenticeship whilst gaining a year 12 certificate.

"The Colleges, by having local business people on their Governing Boards, allow students to study courses highly relevant to local industry needs and to experience a real work environment and to earn while they learn," Mr Robb said.

These three areas selected all have unmet skill needs, a high youth population, and a strong industry base to support successful Australian Technical Colleges. The new Colleges will be scheduled to open in 2009.

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

• To encourage more young Australians into rewarding careers within the traditional trades. The Colleges are specialist senior secondary schools at Year 11 and Year 12 level where students commence an Australian School-based Apprenticeship while completing their Year 12 certificate.
• Attracting young people to the trades is vital for Australia’s future, and these Colleges offer an innovative training pathway to a trade career which enables students to earn while they learn.
• The Colleges will provide training in at least four industries including metal and engineering; automotive; building and construction; electrotechnology and commercial cookery.

Who will benefit?

• Local communities and employers, including small businesses, will benefit from engaging apprentices who are work-ready and well supported, and will be contributing to the growth of local economies.
• Approximately 2000 students are already taking advantage of the training provided by the Colleges that have opened in 2007.
• The three new Colleges will enable approximately 900 additional students in these areas to commence their trade training in an industry led school.
• By 2009 there will be 28 Colleges across 45 Campuses, teaching approximately 8,400 students.

What funding is the Australian Government committing to this initiative?

• The Australian Government is providing an additional $83.6 million over the period 2008-11 to expand the coverage of the Colleges into these three (3) additional regions.

What have we done in the past?

• The Australian Government has previously invested $468.2 million to establish 25 Australian Technical Colleges. This new initiative brings the total investment in Australian Technical Colleges by the Australian Government to $552 million.

When will the initiative conclude?

• The Australian Government is providing an additional $83.6 million over the period 2008-11.