One step closer to construction

The successful construction company set to build the Mount Gambier Technical College will be Kennett Builders, the Premier has announced while in town today.

The announcement came as the Premier visited Mount Gambier last week to inspect the site of the upcoming technical college, with building scheduled to begin by the end of the year.

“I am delighted to see the Research, Education and Training Precinct here in Mount Gambier starting to take shape and the technical college will be a great addition to this precinct,” he said. “Each of the five technical colleges has a specific design and study focus so that it complements the local region and the future job opportunities for students graduating.

“I’m excited to see the next stage of this development come together.”

Kennett is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned commercial builders and has built some of the country’s most award-winning aged care, health, and education facilities.

The technical college will be part of the Research, Education and Precinct on Wireless Road and will offer a range of programs to provide employment pathways leading directly to local industries.

The four key study streams for the Mt Gambier Technical College were selected through industry consultation with future economic opportunities for the Limestone Coast in mind, and will include:

• Agri-tech for careers in forestry, agriculture and manufacturing using the latest technology

• Multi-trades for careers as plumbers, carpenter and electricians

• Early Childhood and Education for careers as Early Childhood workers, educators and teachers

• Health and Social Support for careers in aged care and into nursing, allied health

Mount Gambier Technical College will provide students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with access to programs on a part-time basis while staying enrolled in their home school.

South Australian Education Minister Blair Boyer said the State Government had worked closely with industry, training providers and the public education sector to ensure they were meeting the demands that exist now and into the future for skilled workers.

“The agri-tech focus is very specific to the Limestone Coast region and won’t be taught anywhere else – leaning on the expertise of the forestry sector in the region,” he said. “Students who attend these technical colleges will gain hands-on practical industry training and graduate into a guaranteed career path.”

Designs for the Mount Gambier Technical College were released earlier this year with a focus on integrated industry-specific workshops.

The South Australian Government has committed $208 million to build five technical colleges in South Australia, three of which will be opened in metropolitan Adelaide, one in Port Augusta and one in Mount Gambier, by 2026.

The technical colleges support students in years 10 to 12 to complete their SACE while undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in specialist state-of-the-art facilities.