Trade training winds blow fair

HOSPITALITY student Grace Woolford and construction student Mitchell Hall are receiving some of the best vocational training in Australia.

Both students are undertaking courses through the Southern Tasmanian Catholic Colleges Trade Training Centre at Guilford Young College, which has been recognised at this year’s Australian Training Awards for the best school pathways to vocational education and as the best training provider.

Grace, who has just finished Year 11 at Guilford Young College, has certificate II qualifications in hospitality and tourism.

“I like the idea of event management,” she said of her future career goals.

The trade training centre’s director, Penny Driessen, said students could begin their vocational training as early as Year 9 at any of the southern Catholic secondary schools and complete it in Year 11 and 12 at Guilford.

“Because all of our team of teachers work really closely together, they can look after the students as they move through the years,” Mrs Driessen said.

She said the trade training centre also had close relationships with a number of employers, including Tiny Tackers Children’s Centre at Glenorchy where former Guilford students Emma O’Halloran, 23, and Samantha Cross, 24, are employed.

They said their vocational training at Guilford set them up well for their careers.

“It gave us more of an idea of what we were getting into,” Ms Cross said.

The trade training centre offers 15 industry qualification pathways to more than 450 students