South Australia’s first new technical college opens at Findon

A new technical school has opened in SA for the first time in 50 years, with the government getting creative to ensure it opens with a higher number of students.

A new technical college in Adelaide’s west has opened and is fully enrolled for its first day, but only after the government changed eligibility to drive up numbers and splashed $1.2m on an advertising blitz.

Findon Technical College on Monday 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.

It’s the first time in 50 years a new technical college has opened in South Australia.

Initially Education Minister Blair 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.

The shift in enrolment criteria comes after the government came under fire following a revelation in September that the school had not reached capacity, despite a $1.2m advertising campaign to entice students to enrol at all five technical colleges.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, Education Minister Blair Boyer and local MP Joe Szakacs meet students starting at the new Findon Technical College on Monday. Picture: Dean Martin

The school is the first in a $208.8m election commitment from the Malinauskas government to build five.

“There has never been a demand shortage for people coming here,” Mr Boyer said.

“The feedback we got was some wanted to keep their enrolment at the school they were coming from.”

Mr Boyer said the enrolment criteria was changed to “maximise the number of students who get the opportunity to be here”.

“As we saw that we had probably reached our threshold in terms of those who were moving their enrolment here … then we broadened the eligibility,” he said.

“We haven’t done this for 50 years (the technical college model) and had to really watch it because we weren’t sure of how it was going to go.”

Mr Boyer said the ad campaign was “absolutely” a success.

Findon Technical College lead of advanced manufacturing Joel Phillips with students Atticus Ware, 14, and Isla Taylor, 14 and a robotic welding arm. Picture: Dean Martin

Part-time students at Findon Technical College have enrolled from schools across the state.

“We’re attracting from a much broader area to the school than we would have before,” Mr Boyer said.

He said the part-time technical college study model was always the plan at the new schools being built at Port Augusta and Mount Gambier set to be completed in 2026.

He said the technical college turned away “about 10” students who applied to the college but did not pass a competency test.

The build project for the new college was also delivered on budget and on time, he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas reiterated that students who complete programs at Findon will have “a guaranteed job”, a promise he made when enrolments opened in May last year.

The college offers programs for students in years 10 to 12 such as Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering which features topics including industrial maintenance, welding and computer-aided design.

Other education streams at Findon Technical College will focus on early childhood and education and training in health and social care with industry partnership opportunities.

On the college’s opening day, manufacturing students were introduced to facilities including a robotic arm for welding training.

The curriculum was made in consultation with industry partners including defence giant BAE Systems Australia.

Students who complete their course at the college part time will take longer to graduate “but are still on the pathway to go to BAE”, Mr Boyer said of advanced manufacturing students.

BAE Systems managing director maritime Craig Lockhart said he was excited to see the graduates come through the program.

“It’s like a guaranteed Christmas present every year,” Mr Lockhart said.

“I get access to some incredible talent coming through the college.”

Findon Technical College director Luke Northcote with students Isla Taylor, 14 and Atticus Ware, 14. Picture: Dean Martin

Opposition education spokesman John Gardner slammed the government for “only” attracting 80 full-time students and shifting their initial target.

“It’s remarkable after a $1.2 million TV advertising campaign … the Government could only find 80 (full-time) students to enrol (this year) – at $15,000 per student,” Mr Gardner said.

Year 10 manufacturing students starting at the college include Atticus Ware and Isla Taylor, both aged 14, who said they were excited to begin the program which could lead to a job working on nuclear submarines.

“I thought it was a good opportunity for my future,” Atticus, who last year studied at Portside Christian College, said.

“I’m excited to get hands on.”

Isla, who moved from Seaview High School, said the technical college will bring “a lot of new opportunities”.

“Learning how to weld will help with a lot of opportunities (for) working on different kinds of machines,” Isla said.

Unique aspects at the school include cutting-edge technology such as a robot called ‘Pepper’, specialised acoustic padded pods for audio opportunities and a large LED videowall.

Employer partners with the school include BAE Systems, Liebherr, Axiom Precision Manufacturing, Helping Hand Aged Care, Southern Cross Care, Goodstart Early Learning and Precious Cargo.