Corridor to get earn-while-you-learn college

31 May, 2007

One of three additional Australian technical colleges will be established in Brisbane’s Western Corridor between Goodna and Amberley by 2009.

It is part of a plan the Federal Government says “restores the true value of technical and vocational training, where a high quality technical qualification is as prized as a university degree."

An earn-while-they-learn curriculum enables students to get a head start on apprenticeships while gaining year 12 certificates.

Local business people who sit on the governing boards provide input so courses are ‘highly relevant to local industry needs’, according to the government.

Twenty such colleges are now operational around the country with strong support from the community and local business, according to Mr Andrew Robb, the Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education.
 
His May announcement said  $83.6 million would be spent on the three new ATCs in Perth, Penrith and Brisbane.

These areas all had unmet skill needs, he said, together with a high youth population, and a strong industry base to support successful Australian Technical Colleges.

No site has been selected yet for the Western Corridor college but he expected preparatory work to start late in 2007.

The Government’s investment in its Australian Technical College initiative now totalled $552 million, said Mr Robb.