Designs released for new $35m The Heights Technical College set to open in 2026

Artist impressions have been revealed for the $35m The Heights Technical College, which is set to open in 2026 and promises to provide industry pathways to students.

New designs have been released for The Heights Technical College. Picture: Supplied

Designs have been released for a new $35m technical college in Adelaide’s northeast.

Artist impressions reveal the look of the brand new The Heights Technical College, set to open in 2026, which will offer an alternative program for students in Years 10-12 designed to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for priority industries.

The college will be built at the site of The Heights School, in Modbury Heights, which has a current Reception to Year 12 enrolment of almost 1800 students.

While located at the existing high school site, the technical college is a stand-alone build.

The Heights Technical College is set to open in 2026. Picture: Supplied

Industry training programs for The Heights Technical College are still being finalised but will be designed to prepare students for the transition to apprenticeships, traineeships or entry-level employment.

The new site will allow students to complete their SACE while beginning a career in some of the state’s fastest growing industries.

It is one of five technical colleges planned for the state in Findon, Port Augusta, Mt Gambier and Tonsley.

An interior shot of the new school. Picture: Supplied

Findon Technical College was the first to open at the start of the 2024 school year.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the technical colleges are one of the ways the government is addressing industry demands and that he is excited to see The Heights Technical College “come to life”.

“Following on from the successful opening of the first technical college at Findon … (I) look forward to seeing The Heights Technical College come to life,” Mr Boyer said.

“We have been widely consulting to ensure we met the industry demand and ensure

employment pathways.”

The Heights School principal Meg Fay said the new technical college will provide “greater breadth to the opportunities available” for students in the northern metropolitan area.

“We are delighted to have one of the state’s new, state-of-the-art technical colleges being built at our site,” Ms Fay said.

The build has a budget of $35m. Picture: Supplied

At the start of Term 1 this year, Findon Technical College welcomed 230 new students to the fresh campus with top-of-the-line technology, but that number was only reached after the government changed their enrolment target.

Initially Mr Boyer said the school had planned for 120 full-time students at the technical college but the enrolment criteria had since been broadened.

On its first day, the college had 80 full-time students and 150 part-time who have decided to continue their enrolment at their original high school.

Speaking on the day of the opening, Mr Boyer said “there has never been a demand shortage” at Findon Technical College and that the criteria was changed due to feedback from students who wanted to keep their original high school enrolment.