TRADE PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Overview
The purpose of this document is to outline the Trade Pathways Program that was introduced by WGTTA in 2016. The program is providing places 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.

As a consequence West Gippsland Trade Training Alliance decided to develop its own initiative to meet the needs of our students independent of support from the Department of Education.

Our Project
Schools will pre-purchase a number of places in the WGTTA Trade Pathways Program in 2016. There has been more than enough interest from partner schools to generate at least four classes of 15 students running concurrently.

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

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

Schools 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. This gives schools lots of flexibility.

Sample Course Program:

Benefits
One of the key benefits for schools is to provide a greater variety of educational options for students in Year 9 and 10 who typically are the most disengaged students in our schools.

For WGTTA there is an increase in activity at the Baw Baw Skills Centre on Thursdays .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 Trade Pathways Program can become a pathway into VETiS courses offered by RTO partners.

Any questions to Rod Dunlop ( 0457548519 ) at Baw Baw Skills Centre

10 March 2016