Skills for the future Strong investment in South Australian industry is creating new employment and career opportunities for young people. We have billions of dollars worth of new projects either underway or in the pipeline in our mineral resources, construction, defence and other industries. Growth and confidence in South Australia s future is generating huge demand for people with the practical know-how to do more highly skilled jobs. That is why we have a long-term plan to build a better-skilled workforce and enable young people to gain real skills for real jobs. South Australia s Strategic Plan target is to increase the number of 15-to 19-year-old people engaged in school, work or training to 90 per cent by 2010. We want all young people to be either learning or earning. We are supporting our plan and industry demand for skilled people with a $98 million package of skills initiatives that includes: new Trade Schools for the Future; a new South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) that will better connect school, training, work and citizenship, and support for more apprenticeships and traineeships. But the real key to success is strong partnerships between schools, TAFE, other training providers, community leaders, industry and government, both locally and nationally. With your support, we will make sure that education and training works to create better skills and a better future for young people in South Australia. With your support, we will make sure that education and training work to create better skills and a better future for young people in South Australia. Premier Mike Rann
What are Trade Schools for the Future? Trade Schools for the Future enable students from Year 10 onwards to gain practical skills for work while they are still at school. Ten new trade schools are being created across South Australia as part of a $98 million package to build the skills of the State s workforce. Trade Schools for the Future will deliver handson, practical training to more young people in areas where skilled people are needed. At the same time, young people will be able to achieve their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) while learning skills and working toward industry-accredited qualifications. Students can start preparing for their working future as early as Year 8, by studying courses that will develop the high level of maths and science skills necessary to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship. Young people will be better prepared to take on apprenticeships and skilled jobs in areas that include: manufacturing: for example, machine operator, welder, metal fabricator electrotechnology: for example, electrician, electrical systems maintenance technician, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic engineering: for example, fitter and turner, plant mechanic, metal machinist the automotive industry: for example, auto mechanic, diesel mechanic, heavy mobile equipment mechanic mining resources: for example, construction trades carpenter, plumber, mine equipment operator, drilling operator community services (health): for example, child care worker, aged care worker, health technician. Each trade school will tap into TAFE and other vocational education and training organisations to provide nationally accredited and industry recognised courses.
How do Trade Schools for the Future work? Trade school students do an apprenticeship or training while still at school, spending their week days involved in a combination of school, work and skills training at a TAFE or other training provider. A school-based apprenticeship gives each trade school student a head start towards their chosen career. This includes valuable, hands-on industry experience which will ensure students have a better chance of entering the workforce. Every trade school student has a teacher to support them as a School to Work case manager. School to Work Apprenticeship Brokers based at each trade school help connect students with local industry and business. They work to increase the number of apprenticeships and skilled job opportunities available for all trade school students. The Apprenticeship Brokers also make sure that contracts of training for young people are fair and reasonable for everyone involved. They work with employers and training providers to support students in completing apprenticeships after they leave school.
Work Skills and Qualifications Trade school students are able to study towards a Certificate II, III, IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Year 10-12 students undertake their trade skills studies under a contract of training as an Australian School Based Apprenticeship. The contract of training sets out their conditions of employment while involved in the trade school program. It is expected that a student undertaking a school based apprenticeship will complete about 30 per cent of a Certificate III qualification over two years. The aim is to ensure all young people involved obtain skills, work and careers that have a real future, while industry and South Australia build a better skilled workforce. Access to Trade Schools Secondary school students in State Government schools will be able to tap into a Trade School for the Future. Students in nongovernment schools will also be able to access services by negotiation. Each Trade School for the Future connects a network of local schools with secondary enrolments. The 10 trade schools each have one or more Work Skills Centres as the administrative hub for the network of schools, training providers and industry in the area. This means more young people will have access to industry accredited training through a strong partnership of schools, employers, TAFE and other training providers. We must have young people who are job ready and eager to go on learning new skills. Jane Lomax-Smith Minister for Education and Children s Services Trade schools will ensure students gain key skills for work before they leave school. Paul Caica Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education
Trade Schools at work The Trade Schools for the Future program builds on successful local school, community and industry partnerships to address local skills shortages and enable young people to gain skills for the future and better employment opportunities. Visit the Department of Education and Children s Services website at www.decs.sa.gov.au or call your local area Work Skills Centre listed below: Charles Campbell Secondary School Tel: (08) 8337 6844 Christies Beach High School Tel: (08) 8329 9777 Craigmore High School Tel: (08) 8254 6522 Edward John Eyre High School Tel: (08) 8645 7677 Glossop High School Tel: (08) 8583 2004 Grant High School Tel: (08) 8726 3100 Hamilton Secondary College Tel: (08) 8275 8300 Heathfield High School Tel: (08) 8139 9300 Kadina Memorial High School Tel: (08) 8821 0460 Le Fevre High School Tel: (08) 8449 7004 Murray Bridge High School Tel: (08) 8532 1788 Parafield Gardens High School Tel: (08) 8258 9855 Peterborough High School Tel: (08) 8651 2306 Windsor Gardens Vocational College Tel: (08) 8261 2733 Helpful websites Curriculum resource information www.atpl.net.au Group Training Australia www.gtaltd.com.au National Training Information Service www.ntis.gov.au New Apprenticeships in South Australia www.employment.sa.gov.au/employ New Apprenticeship Centres www.nacinfo.com.au Training Information, products, services www.training.com.au Workplace Services www.eric.sa.gov.au Office of the Employment Advocate www.oea.gov.au