YEAR 9 - TRADE PATHWAYS PROGRAM

YEAR 9 - WEST GIPPSLAND TRADE TRAINING ALLIANCE

TRADE PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Overview

The purpose of this document is to outline the Year 9 Trade Pathways Program to be introduced by WGTTA in 2016. The program will be provided for 60 students from partner schools of WGTTA.

Background

At the last State Election of a Labor Government saw an election commitment to initiating “Tech Schools” around the State. These schools were to be quite different from the 70’s tech school model but instead, were to be based on the KIOSC model run by Swinburne in Knox focussing on high end technology.

In Gippsland, the tech school is to be located in Morwell. In discussion with Minister Merlino and also project manager David Brooks, WGTTA expressed our desire to be involved in the project and have been noted but at this stage have not resulted in any offer to be involved. As a consequence we developed a project initiative to meet the needs of our students without the support of DET.

Our Project

Schools will pre-purchase a number of positions in the WGTTA Trade Pathways Program in 2016. There has been enough interest from partner schools to generate four classes running concurrently.

Students would undertake studies in pre-VET courses in skill shortage areas such as: Carpentry, Plumbing, Automotive, Agriculture /Horticulture.

Each of these courses would run one day per week on Thursdays for one school term (10 weeks).

Schools will select students to participate on a term-by-term basis. This means that a student may do one course, two courses or possibly all four courses.

Sample Course Program:

Protocols used by schools for selecting students will ensure that students are selected for pathway or engagement reasons rather than due to behavioural issues.

Funding of the Program

The funding of the program will be from a $10,000 per class per year from WGTTA ; a charge per student pre-paid by their school of $600 and in kind support from the participating RTO’s.

Proposed Budget for 2016:

For example, if schools purchase 12 places we run one class, costs would be: WGTTA $10,000, Schools 12 x $600 = $7,200, RTOs = $5000 wages.

Benefits

One of the key benefits for schools is to provide a greater variety of educational options for Year 9 students, typically the most disengaged students in our schools.

For the Alliance, there is an increase in activity at the Baw Baw Skills Centre on days with low usage. The program will create exposure to the facility and our partner RTOs and their course offerings.

For RTOs, the program creates early access to potential students. The Tech Schools courses can become a pathway into VETiS courses offered by RTO partners. In addition the courses may provide additional employment opportunities to fill teaching loads for instructors.

Enterprise Learning

In addition to the Pre-VET courses there may be opportunities for students to engage in enterprise learning. Examples in other areas across the state include students constructing outdoor furniture, dog houses, granny flats for sale. This may lead to additional income to support the project.

Timeline for Implementation

· Week 10 Term 3 : Allocation of places to schools finalised

· Week 5 Term 4: Courses for Term 1 2016 finalised by RTOs

· Week 7 Term 4: induction day for first cohort to begin in Term 1 2016

· Week 1 Term 1 (2016): tech school project commences

Any questions to Rod Dunlop ( 0457548519 )or Rob Juratowitch at Warragul Regional College

14 September 2015