Pathways to a brighter future

VOCATIONAL education training pathways offered by the Catholic colleges in southern Tasmania have been named the best in the country at the Australian Training Awards.

The Southern Tasmanian Catholic Colleges Trade Training Centre was awarded the 2017 Schools Pathway in VET Award.

The STCCTTC is a VET in Schools program that provides a skills pathway from secondary schools through to senior secondary college, and further vocational training through partnership arrangements.

Guilford Young College is the registered training organisation (RTO) for the schools, which also include Dominic College, Sacred Heart College, St Virgil’s College, St Mary’s College, MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Carmel College, St Aloysius Catholic College and St James Catholic College.

This year, 15 industry qualification pathways will be offered to more than 450 students through 28 VET trainers and 150 industry partners.

The pathways can begin as early as Year 9.

The senior secondary pathways that will be offered this year will be in the fields of agrifood, automotive, business, community service, construction, early childhood education and care, engineering, health services, horticulture, hospitality kitchen operations, sport coaching, tourism and outdoor recreation.

One of the features of the system is that VET is fully integrated into the timetables of each of the colleges.

At Guilford Young College, students undertake maths, English, technology and pathway planning studies, as well as studying their VET courses in modern, fully equipped, industry-standard workspaces.

Their compulsory work placements are also integrated into their normal school life.

Innovations in the teaching program include initiatives such as having a playgroup at GYC for the early childhood qualification, and a nursing partnership with Southern Cross Care.

Hospitality students are often involved in catering for functions hosted by the college and for community organisations.

Another feature of the GYC-based pathways is that apprenticeships are not the only post-school option.

A number of students further their education at university and other tertiary institutions.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP: Automotive Vocational Preparation student Daniel North was a Year 11 student at Guilford Young College in 2017 who gained an apprenticeship. Emily Godden, who was a Year 12 student, plans to attend the University of Tasmania this...