The Australian Technical Colleges Program was established by the Australian Federal Government in 2005. The Government established 24 ATCs across Australia to provide both academic and vocational technical education. The Government's announcement stated that "each of the 24 chosen regions had a strong industry base with an identified skills need as well as a high youth population". The program ceased on 31 December 2009. In 2005, the Australian Government selected a partnership between the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Northern Adelaide Industry Group to establish and operate the Australian Technical College – Northern Adelaide. Australian Technical College – Northern Adelaide commenced operations with 100 students in temporary facilities at Bishopstone Road, Davoren Park, in January 2007. In May 2008, operations moved to a $12 million purpose-built specialist facility, catering for up to 350 students, at Hooke Road, Edinburgh North.
St Patrick's Technical College (2009- )
In July 2009, the College governance and ownership passed to the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools on behalf of the Archdiocese of Adelaide and was subsequently renamed St Patrick's Technical College. In commenting on the transfer, Director of Catholic Education SA, Jane Swift commented, "We highly value the partnerships formed with industry and the local community and are committed to continuing the educational opportunities technical colleges provide for young people." In August 2013, St Patrick's Technical College and TAFE SA signed a strategic partnership to deliver training as part of the South Australian GovernmentSkills for All initiative.
Programs
St Patrick’s Technical College is structured in three sub-schools – each with a set of specialist trade training programs:
The St Patrick's Technical College SACE curriculum has been developed specifically to support the trades in which pre-vocational training is delivered. Core subjects are contextualised for each specific trade program with content input from industry in association with TAFE SA. In addition, six weeks of structured Work Experience is incorporated into the formal subject of Workplace Practices.
Advanced Technology Project
St Patrick’s Technical College is the Curriculum Focus School for the Advanced Technology Project, an initiative funded from the Australian Government by the Department of Defence and managed by the Department for Education and Child Development. The Advanced Technology Project combines secondary school studies that have a specific focus on high level maths and science with highly technical Vocational Education and Training. This combination provides a training pathway towards achieving a nationally recognised vocational accreditation and the SACE at the same time.
Facilities
Awards
Institutional Awards
2014
National Growth Areas Alliance – Commendation, Skills Development - Developing Apprenticeship Skills in Northern Adelaide
