Australian Industry Trade College

Australian Industry Trade College
Location
Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland
Australia
Information
Type Independent, Day School, Co-educational
Established 2008
Chairman Dennis Beck
Principal Mark Hands
Grades 11-12
Enrolment >325
Colour(s) Blue, Yellow, White
Website www.aitc.qld.edu.au

Australian Industry Trade College (AITC), is an independent, day school for boys and girls located in Robina, a suburb on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Students in Years 11 and 12 undertake school-based apprenticeships or traineeships which include paid work placements and the opportunity to complete vocational education training (VET studies) in the student's chosen area.

Established in 2008 by industry leaders, AITC is one of only two Trade Colleges (or vocational schools) in Queensland and one of four in Australia. The purpose built campus in Scottsdale Drive, Robina officially opened on 6 April 2011.[1] AITC is a not for profit company governed by a Board of Directors appointed from a broad range of industries. The school has a selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 350 students for Year 11 and Year 12.

The Federal Member for McPherson, the Honorable Karen Andrews, said in The House of Representatives on 17 August 2011 "The AITC also has a unique style of teaching and working with students".[2]

AITC is a Queensland registered senior college which offers approved courses leading to the award of the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The AITC is also a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), governed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) which is the responsibility of the Minister for Industry and Innovation.

History

The Australian Industry Trade College began operating in 2008 prior to the demise of the 24 Government funded Australian Technical Colleges (vocational education institutions) which officially ceased to operate in December 2009.[3][4]

Previously a technical college, AITC became a school with an employment arm that secured training partnerships through Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) to deliver its trade training. According to CEO, Mark Hands, in essence the college became “An Independent Senior School with a Trade Focus”. At the 5th International Conference on e-Learning in Malaysia, Hands delivered a paper on the College's model of hybrid learning.[5] The College has close working relationships with industry organizations including Master Plumbers Queensland, Master Builders Australia, Construction Skills Queensland and major Australian Apprenticeships Centers such as Busy at Work Apprenticeship Services who are major sponsors of the college.[6]

AITC is an educational provider that gives industry the capacity to influence the required outcomes of educated apprentices and trainees. College students are encouraged to participate in international construction projects with a team travelling to Cambodia in September 2013 to build homes and shelter for underprivileged Cambodians.[7]

Curriculum

AITC students attend the college in 4 week blocks and are placed in work experience for 6– 8 weeks during the remainder of the school term. Students complete study modules in English, Math, Business and Information Technology. Students begin an apprenticeship or traineeship under the School-based Apprenticeships & Traineeships (SATs) scheme which is administered by the Queensland Government. At the completion of their two years at the AITC, students with up to one third of their apprenticeship already completed, typically convert their SATs into a full-time apprenticeship.

AITC is both a Senior School and a Registered Training Organization (RTO) and as such has an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification and meets the training delivery requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

The AITC offers over 500 apprenticeships and traineeships and in particular construction, hospitality, engineering, automotive and hairdressing. The College also offers a number of Certificate and Diploma courses.

Student Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Industry has $10m learning curve"," Gold Coast Bulletin",
  2. ↑ Federal Member for McPherson - AITC
  3. ↑ The Australian - Government to abolish ATC funding
  4. ↑ ABC News - Funding to finish end of 2009
  5. ↑ Blended Learning
  6. ↑ College Partners and Sponsors
  7. ↑ Gold Coast students volunteer Cambodia

External links

Coordinates: 28°05′31″S 153°23′31″E / 28.092°S 153.392°E / -28.092; 153.392

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