The multi-million-dollar Findon Technical College, a key Malinauskas Labor Government commitment, is underway with the turning of the first sod.
Hindmarsh, the construction company behind the iconic South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) building, has been selected to build the first of five new technical colleges.
In addition to the SAHMRI project, the Hindmarsh Construction team has also worked on Brighton Secondary School and are currently completing the Immanuel College Discovery Centre.
A total of $208.8 million has been committed to build and operate five technical colleges across South Australia to provide employers with the skilled workforce they need and students in Years 10-12 with the opportunity to learn in first-class facilities.
The designs of the technical colleges ensure they replicate the look, feel and flow of industry workplaces, and create an environment that provides practical, hands-on skills training that is valued by industry.
The first of those, Findon Technical College, will be opened in 2024, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, early childhood and care and health.
BAE was announced as Findon Technical College’s key employer partner with skilling able to support crucial future industries such as defence, ship and submarine building; among other advanced manufacturing pathways – as well as early childhood and education, and roles in health and social care to support the rebuild of our health system.
In addition to construction getting underway, Findon High School will also undergo $10 million in infrastructure upgrades to deliver refurbishments across a number of specialist areas including food technology, digital design and art. This will be completed by Term 3 in 2023.
Other metropolitan technical colleges will be located at the Heights School in the north-east of Adelaide, and the Tonsley Innovation precinct in the southern suburbs, while two will also be built in regional South Australia – at Port August and Mt Gambier. All five will be operational by 2026.
Each of the five technical colleges will have employer partners that will work with the colleges to ensure a pipeline of skilled workers to their industry and to provide entry level jobs or apprenticeships for school students completing the technical college programs.
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
Not every kid plans on going to go to university and nor should they.
With our state almost at full employment, our defence, early childhood education and healthcare industries are already crying out for skilled workers.
And when you factor in nuclear submarines, three-year-old preschool and our significant healthcare investments, this demand will grow significantly.
The Findon Technical College will give our high school students a head start on the path to landing secure, well paying jobs of the future.
Attributable to Blair Boyer
Today we take a significant step forward in our delivery of Findon Technical College by providing young people with innovative vocational programs that will lead to employment in industry areas with high workforce demand.
I’m pleased to see the rapid progress on this project with concept drawing and a digital fly-through released recently.
Hindmarsh will make an immediate start on the Findon Technical College project, informing the design and supporting the project team with buildability and constructability advice.
Attributable to Member for Cheltenham Joe Szakacs
Findon High School is the perfect location for the first technical college as it has incredible leadership and links to local industry which will serve not only those enrolled in the technical college but also the wider community.
Attributable to the Hindmarsh CEO Rowan Hindmarsh
Hindmarsh is proud to have been selected to deliver the new Findon Technical College in partnership with the Department for Education and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
These are significant and important buildings for our community and ones that will shape the way students interact with their environment to set them up for a successful career in the future.
Attributable to BAE Systems Australia, Head of Resourcing and Early Careers, Georgette Elston
Technical Colleges provide a great foundation for industry to engage with students, provide early hands-on exposure to new industrial technologies, and support career connections.
BAE Systems Australia is already working closely to support curriculum design and development of employer programs including school-based traineeships and apprenticeships.
