The first technical college in the line of five to qualify for a milestone from the State Government has officially opened for its enrolment.
Findon Technical College will be the first to deliver skilled employees of the future in a landmark agreement with BAE Systems.
The Department of Education said the new technical college was 30 per cent complete and would accommodate about 200 students from next year.
It said its proximity to Findon High could link to local industries and serve those not only enrolled in the technical college but the wider community.
The Department said Findon Technical College had partnered with BAE to support the State’s skills needs in crucial industries such as defence ship and submarine building among other advanced manufacturing pathways.
It said its closeness to Osborne Naval Shipyard could provide an educational pathway for students considering opportunities presented by the AUKUS partnership or elsewhere in the defence industry.
Head of Resourcing and Early Careers at BAE Systems, Georgette Elston said technical colleges provided a great foundation for the industry to engage with students, provide early hands-on exposure to new industrial technologies and support career connections.
“Findon Technical College’s focus on engineering and advanced manufacturing is core business for BAE Systems Australia,” Ms Elston said.
“BAE Systems Australia is already working closely to support curriculum design and development of employer programs, including school-based traineeships and apprenticeships,” she said.
With Findon College, two other metropolitan technical colleges will be located at the Heights School in the northeast of Adelaide and the Tonsley Innovation Precinct in the southern suburbs; all five are expected to be operational by 2026.
