GYC and Catholic College VET National Award
GYC has announced that the Southern Tasmanian Catholic Colleges Trade Training Centre (STCCTTC) is the winner of the Australian Training Awards Schools Pathway in VET Award for 2017.
This means that the Vocational Education Training pathways offered by the Catholic Colleges in southern Tasmania is the best in Australia. Guilford Young College is the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the STCCTTC which includes Guilford Young College (lead school, Hobart and Glenorchy), ƵƬ (Glenorchy), Sacred Heart College (New Town), St Virgil’s College (Austins Ferry), St Mary’s College (Hobart), MacKillop Catholic College (Mornington), Mount Carmel College (Sandy Bay), St Aloysius Catholic College (Huntingfield) and St James Catholic College (Cygnet).
Currently, 15 industry qualification pathways are offered to more than 450 students via 28 VET trainers and 150 industry partners. The pathways can begin as early as Year 9 and continue to Year 12 through the member colleges and then into further vocational training through partnership programs.
In 2017, the senior secondary pathways offered were in the fields of agrifood, automotive, business, community service, construction, early childhood education and care, engineering, health services, horticulture, hospitality kitchen operations, sport coaching and tourism.
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, full-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 and child care centre 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.
According to the Director of the Southern Tasmanian Catholic Colleges Trade Training Centre, Mrs Penny Driessen, central to all the pathways is ensuring that the teaching is meeting current industry needs.
“The students are skilled and workplace-ready,” she said.
“The qualifications provided are always based on the latest national training package and the provision of programs is based on industry demand and student interest.
“The pathways structure supports the students in the high school to senior secondary transition and it also means that we can share facilities and resources among the colleges.”
Another feature of the GYC pathways is that apprenticeships are not the only post-school option. A number of students further their education at university and other tertiary options.
The 2017 Australian Training Awards were announced in Canberra on 23 November. The Schools Pathway in VET Award is a direct-entry award. Mrs Driessen, GYC Principal Mr Craig Deayton and GYC’s Vocational Education and Learning Manager, Ms Jane Milburn, were present for the announcement.
In congratulating all those involved in the success, Mr Deayton paid particular tribute to former GYC Principal, Mrs Bobby Court, under whose leadership the STCCTTC was created and developed.
Penny Driessen - Guilford Young College
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