Background
The Trade Training Centres in Schools Program commenced in 2008 is an important element of the Commonwealth Government’s Education Revolution. It will provide $2.5 billion over 10 years to enable all secondary schools across Australia to apply for funding of between $500,000 and $1.5 million for Trade Training Centres.
Funding will be provided through an annual national application process administered by DEEWR (Dept of Employment Education & Workplace Relations) to build or upgrade facilities that provide training to young people in the skill shortage traditional trades or other areas.
The Program is underpinned by strong partnerships between the Commonwealth Government, State and Territory Governments, and the Independent and Catholic schools sectors. WynBay LLEN has been contracted by DEECD (Dept of Education Early Childhood Development) to broker and facilitate a consortium of partners – Schools, TAFE, Alternate Education Providers and Business to jointly establish two Trade Training Centres, one in Hobsons Bay and other in Wyndham.
Victoria University is a major partner of the initiative in both Wyndham and Hobsons Bay for this Commonwealth Government funded project.
Objectives
Trade Training Centres are being established to help increase the proportion of students achieving Year 12 or an equivalent qualification to 85 per cent by 2015 and 90 per cent by 2020. An important step towards achieving these goals is to ensure students have access to high quality, relevant education and training opportunities that continue to engage them and encourage them to complete their studies.
The program is also an important element of the Australian Government’s workforce development agenda and will help address national skills shortages in traditional trades and emerging industries by improving the relevance and responsiveness of trade training programs in secondary schools.
Through the program, the Australian Government aims to:
- Improve student access to trade training facilities that meet industry standards;
- Improve the quality of schooling offered to secondary students undertaking trade related pathways;
- And assist young people to make a successful transition from school to work or further education or training;
- Allow a student to enrol in a Certificate II or above qualification in traditional trades experiencing skills shortages or emerging industries, make considerable progress towards its achievement, and provide guaranteed and accessible pathways for the student to achieve that qualification after finishing Year 12;
- Include local industry and take into account local employment opportunities.
Business/Industry Support in WynBay
Collaboration and support from local industry bodies, employers and other relevant stakeholders in the development and operation of the Trade Training Centre is vital for its long term sustainability.
This can be in the form of:
- Providing advice, technical support in the planning and design of a TTC;
- Co-investment —through either direct financial commitment or in-kind support such as access to workplace premises and support for on-the-job training components.
Business/Industry Benefits
- Access to well trained local young apprentice, trainees or general employees, trained to your specific future requirements or standards;
- Access to brand new, up-to-date training facilities for your own training or research and testing requirements;
- Access and engage schools directly;
- Leverage promotional opportunities through the TTC – demonstrating your Corporate Social Responsibility or commitment to local young people.
10 reasons for joining and working with LLENs |
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Greater leadership role in the community—enhanced public profile through greater relationships with local schools. |
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Contribute to skilling-up our young people and engage in the Life Long Learning Culture. |
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Improved public perception with visible demonstration of business values. |
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More customers attracted to higher profile of a socially responsible business. |
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Improved staff morale, productivity and retention. |
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New skills, knowledge and perspectives for potential and future employees. |
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Easier recruitment—more attractive to potential employees—as well as having access to a better informed pool of potential employees. |
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Contribute positively to Skills Shortage Areas. |
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Become a “Learning Business”: responsive and progressive. |
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Access new business networks and expand the scope of your operations. |
Local Partnerships in WynBay
WynBay LLEN is developing partnerships to help make a Trade Training Centre in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay a reality. The LLEN is presently steering two planning committees – one for Wyndham and another for Hobsons Bay.
- Schools;
- Industry associations/groups;
- Registered Training Organisations (RTOs);
- Group Training Organisations (GTOs);
- Businesses;
- City of Wyndham and Hobsons Bay;
- Department of Education EarlyChildhood Development – Western Metropolitan Office;
- Catholic Education Office;
- Association of Independent Schools;
- Alternate Community Education;
- Providers.
Quality of Training and Student Support
- Meeting industry requirements regarding quality on-the-job experience;
- Providing effective on-the-job learning environments and high-quality assessments;
- Including recognition of prior learning;
- Ensuring training offered by Trade Training Centres is part of a broad comprehensive secondary education and responsive to student and employer needs;
- Increasing the availability of trade pathways for students in Years 9 and 10, including accredited VET programs where appropriate; and
- Providing well-developed timetabling arrangements to coordinate the delivery of mainstream subjects and VET subjects, including on-the-job components through structured work Placements or apprenticeships.
