Establishment of Australian Technical Colleges to Address Skills Shortages

1. Australian Technical CollegesVictorian VET Research and Planning Network ForumFriday 22nd July 2005

2. Australian Technical Colleges • Denise Chidley • State Manager - Victoria • 03 9920 4613 • denise.chidley@dest.gov.au

3. Australian Technical Colleges • 24 Australian Colleges to be established in regions of skills shortages where there is a strong industry base and large youth population • In Victoria – Geelong, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Sunshine, Bairnsdale/Sale, Eastern Melbourne • Each College will have up to 300 year 11 and 12 students - 7,200 students nationally • Australian Government commitment of $343 million over 5 years

4. Australian Technical Colleges • On the 15th July 2005 the Government announced the first 12 ATCs to be established in Australia

5. Australian Technical Colleges • Each ATC must: • be registered as a senior secondary school in the State in which it intends to operate • be eligible or become eligible for recurrent funding • have a governing body chaired by a representative of local business or industry • have links to one or more RTOs or be an RTO • The governing body will be involved in the selection of and work closely with the College Principal • The Colleges will offer performance pay and the option of an Australian Workplace Agreement to all staff.

6. Australian Technical Colleges • No single model of operation • The Australian Government will not prescribe the design of each College. • They may be: • existing schools; • RTO’s including;TAFEs, Universities or Industry Infrastructure • new institutions • operating on a multi campus basis • Located on new or shared campuses or cooperative clusters of existing education and industry infrastructure

7. Australian Technical Colleges • Colleges must be clearly identifiable and badged as Australian Technical Colleges • Students will be selected through a merit process including participation by local employers • Colleges will charge no additional fees over and above existing fees

8. Australian Technical Colleges • Funding • Australian Government General Recurrent Funding under the Schools Assistance Act 2004 • ATCs may be eligible for funding from the relevant State or Territory Government • Supplementary Funding under the proposed legislation. It is anticipated that this funding will be allocated as follows: • 2005- $15.8m • 2006 - $48.0m • 2007 - $84.0 m • 2008 - $94.4 m

9. Australian Technical Colleges • Supplementary Funding (cont’d) • For purposes such as: • Additional costs associated with teaching and ancillary staff salaries • Professional development • Capital infrastructure • Specialised curriculum development • Scholarships to ensure access by disadvantaged students • Marketing • Other costs associated with the establishment of the college

10. Australian Technical Colleges • Criteria • Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality academic and vocational training for up to 300 students in yrs 11 &12 • Demonstrated ability and proposed strategies to attract and retain students into trade training • Demonstrated ability to engage employers across preferred industry areas and to connect employers to students

11. Australian Technical Colleges • Criteria (Cont) • Demonstrated ability to deliver flexible and integrated academic and vocational training to meet the needs of students and employers • Demonstrated ability to achieve Yr 12 completions and, where appropriate, university entrance requirements • Demonstrated ability to achieve a successful transition post Yr 12

12. Australian Technical Colleges • Curriculum and Learning Outcomes • All academic courses offered at the Colleges will be accredited with relevant school authorities • All vocational education and training courses will be accredited against the relevant nationally endorsed Training Package qualifications • Each student to commence a School Based New Apprenticeship

13. Australian Technical Colleges • Each College will specialise in a particular trade, but will offer a trade or trades from at least four industries including: • Metals and engineering (machinists; fabricators, toolmakers, welders sheet metal workers) • Automotive (mechanics, auto electricians, panel beaters, vehicle painters) • Building and construction (bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters) • Electrotechnology (including refrigeration, air conditioning and electricians) • Commercial cookery

14. Australian Technical Colleges • Mix of trade skills offered by the College will depend on requirements of local industry, economic demands and future growth. • Colleges will also provide teaching in IT, enterprise education, small business and employability skills • Students will graduate with a year 12 certificate and progress towards a nationally recognised vocational qualification under AQF • Colleges will offer specialised counselling to students for the transition to the next stage of education, training and employment

15. Australian Technical Colleges • Further Information • Web • www.dest.gov.au/schools/technicalcolleges • Email technicalcolleges@dest.gov.au • Or Hot Line 1300 363 079