The first of five new technical colleges being built by the State Government – Findon Technical College – officially opened its doors to students and staff on Monday 29 January 2024 (day one of term one of the school year).

This brand new facility – co-located with Findon High School – is providing students from years 10 to 12 the opportunity to learn in state-of-the-art facilities as they complete their SACE and start a career in some of South Australia’s fastest growing industries including advanced manufacturing and engineering, early childhood and education and health and social support.

Employer partners, including BAE Systems and multinational equipment manufacturer, Liebherr, have helped design the content of the industry training programs and will support the delivery of the programs along with providing opportunities for students to work with them and develop the skills needed for the jobs in each industry.

More than 230 students have enrolled in the technical college for 2024, developing their skills for the jobs in these key industry sectors in South Australia. Students have the opportunity to attend full-time and complete all of their program in the technical college or on a part-time basis and remain at their home school for their general SACE subjects.

In this segment, we hear from Kathleen Hoare, an experienced educator who has been the Principal of Findon High School for four years. She also has overarching responsibility for the Findon Technical College. Clare Feszczak, Executive Director for Student Pathways and Careers at the Department for Education and has departmental responsibility for the roll out of the new technical colleges across South Australia.